Community Rallies Behind Childhood Leukemia Warrior for a Blood Drive on June 2nd, Clifton Middle School Monrovia, CA
Monrovia Unified School District along with the Red Cross have committed to hold a large scale blood drive located at “Clifton Middle School” on Saturday, June 2nd 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This blood drive will be held in the name of James Speranta and the Children’s Leukemia and Cancer Unit at the “City Of Hope.”
Monrovia, CA, May 28, 2018 --(PR.com)-- City of Monrovia proclaimed June 2nd as Childhood Leukemia Awareness Day.
When: June 2nd, 2018, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Who: James Speranta Foundation
What: Childhood Leukemia Blood Drive
Where: Clifton Middle School, 226 S Ivy Ave., Monrovia, CA, 91016, Principal Jennifer Jackson, 626-471-2680
Why: More than 220 students, teachers, and community members have stepped up to donate blood during a drive benefitting Monrovia High School student-athlete James Speranta, who is facing an unexpected battle against leukemia.
The numbers double the typical signups received by the American Red Cross, triggered by news of Speranta’s sudden diagnosis in mid-March.
“The community came together to do this, and I needed to be a part of this as well,” said Joanne Wallace, Speranta’s fifth-grade teacher at Mayflower Elementary. “Speranta family – my heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you.”
Speranta is a member of Monrovia High’s swim and water polo teams and San Gabriel Men’s Water Polo Club, and regularly trains at the local Fitness Factor gym. All of his sports and physical activities came to a halt on March 16 when he was diagnosed with leukemia.
“The whole thing is a bit of a shock, like this is a bad dream that I need to wake up from,” his mother Nicola Speranta said. “It’s going to be life-changing.”
Nicola Speranta noticed her son was looking pale after strenuous activity in early March. She took him to the local doctor on March 13. After checking his vitals and blood levels, his hemoglobin level was about a third of what would be normal, signs his body was struggling to transport oxygen in his blood.
They were sent to emergency and then sent to Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach. James Speranta was given three bags of blood to stabilize his condition and lower his heart rate. A bone marrow sample revealed on March 19 he was facing childhood leukemia.
“Childhood leukemia is a devastating diagnosis for a child, and as for treatments, it’s pretty brutal,” Nicola Speranta said. “People don’t realize the long-term effects of chemotherapy, that children are affected for the rest of their lives and need to live with it.”
James Speranta underwent intensive 28-day chemotherapy treatments at Miller Children’s Hospital, where he stayed in the hematology/oncology ward so doctors can monitor his progress in a sterile environment. Monrovia High students, teachers, and staff recorded encouraging messages, which they sent to James to view and listen to while he was hospitalized.
James Speranta was recently sent home to continue with follow-up treatments at City of Hope for another year or more, depending on how well he recovers. He will be home schooled during this time.
Donations from Monrovia High’s blood drive went to City of Hope to help Speranta and other leukemia and cancer patients in need. Each pint of blood will help up to three people because the blood platelets, plasma, and blood cells will be used from each donation.
“I’m trying to turn this into a positive situation so that when he does overcome this, he can pay it forward and help others who are coming behind him,” Nicola Speranta said. “We discuss everything together and decided that ultimately, James has the last say on his treatment, empowering him during this time.”
Nicola Speranta said she was overwhelmed by the support from the Monrovia community and hopes to create a James Speranta Foundation to host an annual blood drive to support children with leukemia. Her younger son, Andrew, designed a T-shirt on which a child’s name can be printed so schools and individuals can champion a fellow student who may be diagnosed with leukemia.
“The compassion of our students and community is evident through their contributions at the blood drive and also through their continued support to the Speranta family,” Monrovia Unified Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian said. “I am proud of the strength of our community for coming together to support James as he is overcoming this very challenging time.”
Another blood drive will be held in support of James Speranta on June 2 at Clifton Middle School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., hosted by Monrovia Unified, the James Speranta Foundation, and Red Cross.
Additional information:
mailchi.mp/monroviaschools/monrovia-unified-blood-drives-held-in-support-ofstudent-athlete-diagnosed-with-leukemia
Contact Information:
Nicola Speranta, 626-253-6746
Carmen Martinez, 626-673-5308
Cissie Holmes Andrews, 626-390-1916
When: June 2nd, 2018, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Who: James Speranta Foundation
What: Childhood Leukemia Blood Drive
Where: Clifton Middle School, 226 S Ivy Ave., Monrovia, CA, 91016, Principal Jennifer Jackson, 626-471-2680
Why: More than 220 students, teachers, and community members have stepped up to donate blood during a drive benefitting Monrovia High School student-athlete James Speranta, who is facing an unexpected battle against leukemia.
The numbers double the typical signups received by the American Red Cross, triggered by news of Speranta’s sudden diagnosis in mid-March.
“The community came together to do this, and I needed to be a part of this as well,” said Joanne Wallace, Speranta’s fifth-grade teacher at Mayflower Elementary. “Speranta family – my heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you.”
Speranta is a member of Monrovia High’s swim and water polo teams and San Gabriel Men’s Water Polo Club, and regularly trains at the local Fitness Factor gym. All of his sports and physical activities came to a halt on March 16 when he was diagnosed with leukemia.
“The whole thing is a bit of a shock, like this is a bad dream that I need to wake up from,” his mother Nicola Speranta said. “It’s going to be life-changing.”
Nicola Speranta noticed her son was looking pale after strenuous activity in early March. She took him to the local doctor on March 13. After checking his vitals and blood levels, his hemoglobin level was about a third of what would be normal, signs his body was struggling to transport oxygen in his blood.
They were sent to emergency and then sent to Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach. James Speranta was given three bags of blood to stabilize his condition and lower his heart rate. A bone marrow sample revealed on March 19 he was facing childhood leukemia.
“Childhood leukemia is a devastating diagnosis for a child, and as for treatments, it’s pretty brutal,” Nicola Speranta said. “People don’t realize the long-term effects of chemotherapy, that children are affected for the rest of their lives and need to live with it.”
James Speranta underwent intensive 28-day chemotherapy treatments at Miller Children’s Hospital, where he stayed in the hematology/oncology ward so doctors can monitor his progress in a sterile environment. Monrovia High students, teachers, and staff recorded encouraging messages, which they sent to James to view and listen to while he was hospitalized.
James Speranta was recently sent home to continue with follow-up treatments at City of Hope for another year or more, depending on how well he recovers. He will be home schooled during this time.
Donations from Monrovia High’s blood drive went to City of Hope to help Speranta and other leukemia and cancer patients in need. Each pint of blood will help up to three people because the blood platelets, plasma, and blood cells will be used from each donation.
“I’m trying to turn this into a positive situation so that when he does overcome this, he can pay it forward and help others who are coming behind him,” Nicola Speranta said. “We discuss everything together and decided that ultimately, James has the last say on his treatment, empowering him during this time.”
Nicola Speranta said she was overwhelmed by the support from the Monrovia community and hopes to create a James Speranta Foundation to host an annual blood drive to support children with leukemia. Her younger son, Andrew, designed a T-shirt on which a child’s name can be printed so schools and individuals can champion a fellow student who may be diagnosed with leukemia.
“The compassion of our students and community is evident through their contributions at the blood drive and also through their continued support to the Speranta family,” Monrovia Unified Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian said. “I am proud of the strength of our community for coming together to support James as he is overcoming this very challenging time.”
Another blood drive will be held in support of James Speranta on June 2 at Clifton Middle School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., hosted by Monrovia Unified, the James Speranta Foundation, and Red Cross.
Additional information:
mailchi.mp/monroviaschools/monrovia-unified-blood-drives-held-in-support-ofstudent-athlete-diagnosed-with-leukemia
Contact Information:
Nicola Speranta, 626-253-6746
Carmen Martinez, 626-673-5308
Cissie Holmes Andrews, 626-390-1916
Contact
James Speranta Foundation
Carmen Martinez
626-673-5308
Nicola Speranta, 626-253-6746
Carmen Martinez, 626-673-5308
Cissie Holmes Andrews, 626-390-1916
Carmen Martinez
626-673-5308
Nicola Speranta, 626-253-6746
Carmen Martinez, 626-673-5308
Cissie Holmes Andrews, 626-390-1916
Contact
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