Dr. Nick Mondek, an anesthesiologist in Los Angeles, experienced an aggressive leukemia relapse in April and urgently needed another stem cell transplant. No match was initially found until his nine-year-old son Stephen tested as a compatible donor. Despite medical challenges related to Stephen's age and 70-pound weight, the transplant was performed at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's and succeeded. Clinicians praised Stephen's bravery and Mondek expressed deep gratitude, calling his son a hero. Stephen said he felt proud because his friends were proud of him. The transplant restored Mondek's health and preserved his family.
""This past April of this year I relapsed with leukemia," said Mondek, an anesthesiologist who works in the Los Angeles area."
""As soon as my doctor came in the room I said, 'Could a 9-year-old who's 70 pounds give us enough stem cells?' And he just looked at me and smirked and said, 'He just might be able to,'" Mondek recalled."
""They got a cape on and they're flying to someone in need who is in a critical point in their life," Mondek said. "And to see that unfold in front of you, not just any person, but your 9 year old, is incredible.""
Read at ABC7 San Francisco
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