09 Apr An Infant’s Amayah-zing Fight Against Leukemia
Yuma mom of four Isabel Garcia arrived in Phoenix by helicopter on a warm, sunny afternoon in June 2024 with nothing. No car, no local family support, nothing but the clothes on her back – and her 4-month-old daughter Amayah.
When she woke up that morning, Isabel’s biggest worry was whether Amayah would be fussy after her routine medical checkup and vaccinations. But the day changed quickly when the pediatrician noticed Amayah’s spleen seemed to be enlarged. He rushed Isabel and baby Amayah to the local hospital for emergency bloodwork and an ultrasound.
Testing confirmed Amayah’s spleen was adult-sized – something was seriously wrong. A medical helicopter whisked Isabel and baby Amayah from Yuma to Phoenix for further testing.
The diagnosis? Aggressive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) – a potentially life-threatening disorder that would require a full year of chemotherapy and radiation treatments at Phoenix Children’s.
The first month, before Isabel was referred to Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central and Northern Arizona, was overwhelming. With no extended family support in the country, no transportation and separated from her husband and three other children, Isabel slept as well as she could at her daughter’s bedside in the hospital every night.
Once she moved into Ronald McDonald House in early August, Isabel was able to breathe and rest a little easier. Her husband and 5-year-old son Marcus, who has autism, were able to join Isabel at Ronald McDonald House. Marcus started school in Phoenix, and Isabel and her husband took turns staying at the hospital with Amayah and spending time with Marcus after picking him up after class.
The couple’s two older daughters – 13-year-old Angeline and 8-year-old Alina – are staying with a trusted neighbor in their hometown of Yuma so they can attend their regular schools. Isabel visits them on weekends and brings the girls to Phoenix for holidays and school breaks.
“We’ve never been apart like this,” Isabel says. “It’s been really hard, especially because my youngest daughter misses her baby sister so much.”
Amayah has spent nearly her entire first year of life in the hospital. She continues to defy expectations – she’s active, nearly walking and has never needed a feeding tube. “She doesn’t even look sick,” Isabel says with a smile.
Ronald McDonald House has helped the Garcia family maintain a sense of routine during a most difficult time. “We’re at the hospital all day,” Isabel says. “But we have a place to sleep, and having our own kitchen at the House means we can cook dinner when we get back.”
Ronald McDonald House also made sure the 2024 holiday season was bright for the family. Because the organization welcomes donations of children’s gifts from generous community members, Isabel was able to choose three gifts for each of her youngsters while also receiving food for the family and a gift card.
“I was worried about how I was going to afford gifts for Christmas, but I didn’t need to,” said Isabel. “We wouldn’t have had space for any more gifts in our apartment. It made Christmas feel special for my kids.”
Isabel remains hopeful. If Amayah’s next treatment cycle goes well, they’ll be able to return home to Yuma soon – with continuing follow-up care in Phoenix.
“I try to stay positive and put everything in God’s hands,” she says. “Now, I’m helping other parents who are going through the same thing.”
