Irene Nicole

My name is Irene Nicole and I was diagnosed with Leukemia in March 2020 at only 18 years young. I had a regular active life as a Sophomore College Student, practicing Volleyball, Soccer, Track & Field and Water Polo. It all started with just a simple sore throat. After being sick a little over two weeks, a visit to Urgent Care, and taking antibiotics with no improvement; I was rushed to the Hospital. I was admitted with a severe neutropenia, anaemia and told my blood work was “wonky”. My bone marrow wasn’t producing anything. 

It all became a sudden nightmare, it all happened so fast. The hospital admitted me and my Mom was not allowed to be with me or even visit me due the COVID-19 pandemic and hospital protocol. The next day, they started to run many tests. I was never sick before, never even had a stitch. I was always so healthy and only ever had to do child well check ups. The hardest part was being there by myself and not understanding anything. I had to call my parents via FaceTime to be able to understand what the physicians were doing. I was very scared hearing the word Cancer, and not understanding why…? After a bone marrow biopsy it was confirmed, AML-MLL Leukaemia. Within a couple of days I was transferred to Moffit and reunited with my Mom.

I was so scared and truthfully we all feared the worst outcome. But with courage and friends and family support, I have made up my mind. I am determined that I will beat this disease with positive thinking and complete trust in my transplant team. I must receive a few rounds of chemotherapy and undergo fertility preservation; then I will get my Bone Marrow transplant before the end of 2020. This is just the beginning of a new life and I’m glad to count on everyone’s support to get through and assure this disease is gone for good.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.