September is Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month. We are stronger together because of community support such as yours. Thank you for supporting patients at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center ─ patients like Toni and Nolan.
Meet Toni
Toni was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at just 10 days old. Living in Nigeria at the time, her family would travel every six months to Atlanta for appointments at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Centers of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, until permanently moving to the United States when Toni was almost two years old. Toni’s first sickle cell crisis did not happen until February of 2015. “This was the beginning of a parent’s living nightmare,” Toni’s mom, Idunnu explains, “watching helplessly as your child endures unbearable pain”. In September of 2017, the Tomori family received news that would change their life; Toni’s older sister, Tara, tested positive as a match for a bone marrow transplant for Toni. The sisters, who were joined at the hip, had to spend the next 8 weeks apart as the transplant process took place. But, just in time for the holiday season, Tara came home from school to her sister, Toni, waiting for her following her discharge from the hospital. Toni was even able to return to school with all of her friends in August of 2018. |
Meet Nolan
Nolan was diagnosed on February 25th, 2019 with osteosarcoma a rare, aggressive bone cancer that attacks children. Thankfully, Nolan’s was localized, meaning it was only in his femur. His surgeon removed seven inches from his hip ball into his femur bone. It was replaced with a titanium and magnetic device that will grow with him until he is about 18 years old, and then he will have a more permanent device put in. As for his femur? Nolan requested to have it back. So, his femur bone was cremated and sits in his dresser. |
