Louisiana 2-year-old relying on blood donations motivates others to donate blood
KENNER, La. (WGNO) — Hezekiah Martinez, 2, is facing the fight of his life. His mother, Lidia Martinez, says it started as a simple cold and fever that he couldn’t kick, but a phone call from her mother changed their lives forever.
“She says, ‘Do you know Hezekiah has bruises?’ She took pictures of his body and once I started seeing all his body, it touched me so hard. I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ I need to take my son to the emergency room,” said Martinez.
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Taking him to Children’s Hospital, she learned the devasting news that Hezekiah had acute myeloid leukemia just three days before his birthday.
“No mother wants to hear that before his birthday like, what’s going on? I couldn’t process it. Just looking at him I don’t see a cancer going through his body,” said Martinez.
Since being diagnosed, Hezekiah has endured multiple blood transfusions, chemotherapy and other treatments. His mother also learned he would need a bone marrow transplant.
However, she smiles, explaining he continues to play and be joyful as if nothing is wrong.
“He’s jumping, like I said, it looks as if he is not undergoing the worst cancer ever. It’s a light of God that’s on him. He gives him so much strength,” said Martinez.
She said she owes it all to the community that’s supported them since the beginning but hopes for the same support for all the children sharing the same hall as her son.
“If my son is going through it, I can imagine the other rooms that are there. When I say I want to give back, I want to give back to others. I just don’t want to, my son needs yes, he does but others in there also need it,” said Martinez.
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With blood banks across Louisiana low, Martinez is holding a blood drive for not just her son but all the other children she prays will make it through this tough battle as her son will.
“He will beat this cancer, but I also have hope for other kids in the hospital. They are going through cancer and it’s just little kids. I know and pray that they can also beat it as well,” said Martinez.
The costs of Hezekiah’s treatments have made Martinez unable to spend more time at work as she is needed by her son’s side. Donations can be made to the Martinez family through a GoFundMe.
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