Walking the streets filled with magic at Walt Disney World, lying outside for hours during the day and enjoying playdates at Gigi’s Playhouse, 4-year-old Amelia King was always on the go. That changed this past May when the Pre-K bundle of energy was diagnosed with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
This blood cancer can be found in bone marrow and blood and causes a higher chance of infections.
Amelia has spent the last seven months in and out of UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital for treatment. Due to Amelia having Down syndrome and leukemia, the procedure for this family is a bit different than others. Treatment for Amelia includes an oral infusion and injected chemo.
Parents, CJ and Angela Massa-King, stay positive with love and support from the people around them.
“We often focus on the negative things that go on, but this has shown us that there are still amazing people out there,” Angela said. “People who go out of their way to put a smile on Amelia’s face.”
Living forty minutes away from the children’s hospital, Amelia and her parents are grateful for the employees looking over their 4-year old.
According to Amelia’s parents, the entire team of UF Health physicians and care providers has been amazing. Bill Slayton, M.D., chief of pediatric hematology and oncology, and Tung Wynn, M.D., pediatric hematology and oncology physician, were two individuals who went out of their way to help Amelia.
“Being stuck in a hospital is not easy with an active 4-year-old,” Angela said. “The medical team work so hard to provide for our kids here. With toys, movies, games, just playing with them to make the stay here easier.”
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