Alessandro

Letter from Social Worker

Alessandro Martinez Passanisi is a 6 year old boy from Venezuela who was in his usual and normal state of health up until the time he began complaining of abdominal pain in late January 2019. He was taken to his PCP in Venezuela who ran some basic lab work, which came back abnormal. He was sent to a local hospital, who after further medical workup, discovered a fairly large mass in his abdomen and became suspicious for malignancy. Given the very volatile and unstable political climate in the country, Alessandro’s parents were strongly urged to seek further medical for Alessandro outside of Venezuela.
His parents, having active US visas, immediately booked a flight to Miami and traveled with Alessandro and their 2 year old daughter. They came straight to the ED at Holtz Children’s Hospital where the patient was eventually admitted and, after performing diagnostic testing and a mass biopsy, it was determined Alessandro has Burkitt’s Lymphoma and needed immediate treatment with chemotherapy. The patient has been in our medical center since January 26, 2019.
Alessandro’s parents both in a small family owned business in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. They have had to leave their business / livelihood behind, given the present medical situation with their son. They have no medical insurance and are basically relying on monies they’ve been able to fundraise through Go Fund Me to help pay for the patient’s huge medical bills. JJCCF has aided the family with gift cards for food and gas which have assisted them tremendously. Hopefully, through the JJCCF Advocacy Program, others will learn of Alessandro’s needs and will be moved to donate whatever they can to help. Thank you JJCCF for all you do to help children in need. May God continue to bless you all!

Rolando Tabares, LCSW, CCM
Holtz Children’s Hospital, Jackson Memorial Hospital

View Original letter

Plea from Mother

Dear JJCCF,
My son Alessandro is 6 years old from Venezuela, a healthy and happy child until January 2019 when he presented abdominal pain, after the doctor’s investigation, he was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma/ Leukemia. Alessandro has been hospitalized at Holtz Children’s Hospital ever since; he does not have insurance coverage, and since he was admitted to the hospital has been undergoing diagnostic testing and treatment for this disease.
We are a family from Venezuela, escaping a country and a regime which doers not respect human rights. Venezuela is facing a huge crisis, so it is impossible to treat our son there. After months of being threatened back home, we decided to leave everything behind to come to have a better life, but now we are facing this challenging time with our son health and the financial struggles that this add to our situation in a new country.
As a mother, it is painful to see your child in pain and suffering, plus the worries of not having the money to pay for his medical bills or our basic needs, including supporting our 2 year old daughter, Alessandro’s little sister.
We ask for your help in this challenging time for my son Alessandro and for us as a family. We will forever be thankful for your contribution to pay Alessandro’s treatment to overcome this disease. Alba

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Assisted Children: Individual Stories

Family escapes Venezuela to save child diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma

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