Meet Madelina

Madelina started having stomach issues and then developed bruising on her legs so the family made an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Children's North. It was recommended that her family meet with oncologists at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

Initially doctors thought Madelina just had low platelet counts. They did routine biweekly blood work over the period of two months and saw some signs of a problem during the bloodwork. She had her first bone marrow biopsy shortly after and was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a type of blood cancer.

Madelina went through a treatment plan that included four, one-month stays at Children’s Hospital to receive chemotherapy treatments and platelet transfusions. In total, Madelina received 19 blood transfusions.

Despite enduring unpleasant and exhausting days in the hospital, Madelina always had a smile on her face. No smile was bigger though then when the family received the news that there was no longer evidence of the disease.

Madelina will continue to see her oncologist for blood work and checkups routinely, however, she can now enjoy being a happy and active young girl at home with her big sister.