Dear Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation,
My name is Ida Rodriguez, and I am a clinical social worker at the University of Miami Alex’s place pediatric hematology oncology outpatient clinic.
I am writing to you regarding a patient, Lucas, a 7-year-old young boy who has been living with a diagnosis of high-risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia since beginning of 2022. He was treated at another hospital; however, was referred to University of Miami Alex’s place team to receive a bone marrow transplant in April 2022. Post transplant patients came to our clinic for follow-up and then developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia, a post complication of the transplant, a year later, 2023. He has been coming to our clinic for treatment of the anemia every 4-6 weeks and to flush his port catheter for the last 2 years.
On November 14, 2025, Lucas arrived to Alex’s place for medical follow-up, as he had been coming for treatment of his anemia. On that day, it was discovered that his heart rate was below normal; he was immediately sent to the emergency department for further examination. He was subsequently admitted for further medical workup.
After further assessment, while admitted to the hospital, it was discovered that the reason for Lucas’ heart rate being low was due to intracardiac mass, in which it was necessary for him to have placed a pacemaker. On 11/18/25, while still in the hospital, unfortunately, it was concluded that Lucas had relapsed and was diagnosed again with Leukemia. Lucas began induction for his chemotherapy on 11/21/25 and it is projected that soon Lucas will receive another bone marrow transplant with his older sister being his donor this time.
Lucas was hospitalized from 11/14/25- 01/09/26. He was away from his home throughout the holiday season. We are humbly requesting assistance from the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation’s Advocacy Program, as Lucas and his mother travel back and forth to clinic for his treatments; currently, they come to clinic weekly for follow-up and treatment. Next week, he is to be admitted to the hospital for further treatment and testing for his upcoming transplant.
Any assistance that may be provided to this family would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely,
Ida M. Rodriguez, MSW, LCSW- QS
Licensed Clinical Social Worker,
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, alex’s place
