On November 5, 2013, my wife and I took on the rank of “rookie” once again when we welcomed our first child into this world, a handsome baby boy named Max. The sleepless nights, inability to enjoy an uninterrupted meal, and total lack of a regular schedule made me feel like I was at the fire station seven days a week. Two weeks into new parenthood our lives changed drastically as doctors told us to rush our child to the ER. Newborn blood work had shown abnormal signs of immunologic deficiencies. Max's spleen was enlarged to almost twice its normal size and he required immediate transfusions for dangerously low platelets and red blood cells, while his white cell count skyrocketed.
At 5 weeks of age, we started a journey we would never wish to repeat when Max was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia called JMML (Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia), affecting 1.2 cases per million annually. Stem cell transplant is the only known cure and survival rates from that procedure alone give us nightmares. After beginning a regimen of daily oral chemotherapy treatment, Max’s body stabilized and doctors advised a ‘watch and wait’ approach, postponing transplant until necessary.
Today, at 2 years of age, Max is a happy, energetic toddler who loves fire engines, trains and puppies. Max remains on chemotherapy and is no stranger to needle sticks, surgeries, marrow aspirations, and teams of medical providers. He has not needed a transplant to date and we remain hopeful for a miracle.
We have been involved with LLS from the start, and work directly with teams of doctors across the country who receive direct support from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It is an organization that is dear to our hearts, and at the end of the day, one of the greatest earthly sources of hope for our son. On Saturday, January 30, 2016, more than 1,800 climbers will come together at Bank of America Plaza in Downtown Dallas to race and raise money to support LLS’s mission to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
With your registration and support, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is moving closer towards their goal of a world without blood cancers. I’ll be there climbing for Max and every other son or daughter who has trudged this road as we press on for a cure. Someday is Today, so please join us at the Big D Climb and please consider making a substantial financial contribution if you are able.
Warm regards,
Lieutenant Cristian Hinojosa (aka Max's dad)
Dallas Fire-Rescue Department
