10-Year-Old Becomes Lifesaving Hero for His Father<\/p>\n
When Dr. Nick Mondek discovered his cancer had returned this spring, he never imagined his 10-year-old son, Stephen, would save his life.<\/p>\n
Stephen proves that heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and ages,\u201d Mondek told ABC News. \u201cThey may be right in front of us, and one act of courage can completely change your life.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Tough Diagnosis<\/p>\n
Mondek, a Los Angeles anesthesiologist and father of two, had battled acute myeloid leukemia, a blood cancer, with chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. In 2022, his older brother, Dave, had donated stem cells to him.<\/p>\n
This time, Mondek searched extended family and the National Bone Marrow Registry for a match\u2014but found none.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a dismal prognosis,\u201d he said. \u201cI needed a donor immediately, and there was no one available.\u201d<\/p>\n
Acute myeloid leukemia progresses quickly, according to the National Cancer Institute. Standard treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplants. For Mondek, another transplant became his last option.<\/p>\n
Stephen Steps Up<\/p>\n
Doctors at Cedars-Sinai successfully extracted stem cells from Stephen. On July 30, Mondek received his second transplant.<\/p>\n
The proud father praised his son as a hero. \u201cHe never complained once,\u201d Mondek said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t wear a cape or leap buildings. Instead, he put on a hospital gown and gave me hope.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stephen, who had support from his friends, told KABC, \u201cIt feels good because all my friends are proud of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recovery and Remission<\/p>\n
Both father and son are now home. Stephen quickly returned to normal activities. \u201cWithin three or four days, he was back at baseball practice,\u201d Mondek said.<\/p>\n
Mondek\u2019s recovery shows promising results. \u201cThey tested my blood for leukemia DNA last week, and they found nothing,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m still in remission, and there\u2019s no sign of cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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