One of the youngest patients at the Belize Cancer Center rang her bell today to mark the end of her battle against Leukemia. Jomarie Lanza got to meet three year old Alizae Tillett today along with her parents and the people who supported her during her two year chemotherapy treatments. Here's what she reported from Alizae's bell ringing ceremony.
Looking at 3 year old Alizae, as bubbly and energetic as she is, one would hardly suspect that the soon to be preschooler has triumphed against a two year battle with Acute Leukemia.
After she was diagnosed in 202 at a health facility in Chetumal, her parents moved fast to get treatment after leaning that the disease had invaded almost half of her body.
With the help of family and friends, her parents were introduced to the Belize Cancer Center which assisted them in facilitating treatments for Alizae.
The main center, located in Dangriga, recently opened its Belize City branch, extending their care and support services to families across the northern districts.
Dellone Pascasio, CEO, Belize Cancer Center
"We actually were trending a patient satisfaction survey and some of our patients indicated that they were having trouble in transportation sometimes all the way down to Dangriga, particularly because we are subjected to inclement weather so in collaboration with the President of the Belize Cancer Society we got private funding and we developed this center as an alternative for one who felt that it was easier for them to come here."
"In Belize city we are more than likely seeing about in terms of maintenance as well as active treatment, about 8 patients the rest of the patients are kind of spread out around the country but these are residents in Belize City."
"We actually kind of take a holistic approach to care and treatment that we offer. Besides we do Chemo therapy we do targeted therapy we do hormone therapy we essentially offer referrals for radiation therapy cause we don't have radiation services in this country and also we are kind of the pipeline or the network for children requiring pediatric oncology services that we refer for cross border care."
And Alize is one of those patients who spent months with her mother at the Ohoran General Hospital are in Merida receiving care. Two years into her journey And 94 sessions of Chemotherapy, Alizae is now on the road to recovery and remission.
Her nurse told us more about the significance of the Cancer Center's Bell Ceremony, which not only signifies a patient's strength and will to beat cancer, but also the completion of their chemotherapy treatment.
Prosper Fijoh, Nurse, Belize Cancer Center
"Today is a very spectacular day. It is actually quite memorable, quite interesting because today we will have one of our youngest cancer leukemia survivors doing what we term to be the bell ringing ceremony. She will be banging on the bell today and banging on the bell is a ceremony that we do at the end when a patient completes their chemotherapy treatment and that is the completion of the chemotherapy treatment which is really the opening of the door way into the patient potentially going into remission going into a moment that they have kicked the cancer back and they are fought the war. And for us this is really amazing for the kids in particular who have to deal with this debilitating disease from a tender age."
And so little Alizae, being the youngest at the center to complete chemotherapy, walked up to her bell today, surrounded by cheering loved ones and medical staff and rang her heart out in celebration of the progress she has made, in her fight against Leukemia. Her parents also shared with us the details of the journey they've been on over the past two years.
Leonelle Aldana, Mother
"You know yes I am overjoyed. I am happy and there are no words to explain but I guess probably later the tears will fall but right now it's worth it everything was worth it. "
"The journey was hard, it was rough and emotional, everything that you can think about. You know with her on this journey I was there every step of the way from the start and you have to build strength and watching her give me the strength that I needed every day to deal with her cause it's not an easy road. It's not an easy road but like I said it was worth it and I wouldn't wish this on anyone but it was okay even with the doctors and everyone who did their part and even us as the parents we did are part too. It's something really challenging but god doesn't give his battles to weak opponents."
Jason Tillet, Father
"Like what her mother said, it was a journey and I have to give thanks to the almighty. Without him I don't think we would be able to do it. He gives his battles to the strongest soldiers and I agree because maybe I wasn't there every step of the way but I have to give thanks to my sister in law. I was pursuing my bachelors degree and she was the one who stepped up and went to Merida on my behalf and I was able to complete my studies. After that I picked up and went to Merida. And when I was at the border the only thing that went through my head was wow this journey is real."
"It doesn't get easy but at the same time it helps you to build strength for her. She is very lively and she has a lot of energy even at Merida the nurses loved her and even while receiving treatment she was a very lively baby. Seeing her, she didn't see me for months and just looked at her face while jumping on that bed intact with a lot of stuff on her. It's not an easy journey and I mean I agree I wouldn't wish it on anyone so."
Reporter
"So where do you guys go from here She's three so I'd imagine she will be starting pre school soon."
Leonelle Aldana, Mother
"The road to recovery and yes she will be starting preschool in January. She is excited because every day she sees her cousin going and she wants to go to school but you know now since, we still aren't in the clear, we are okay and she will be starting school now."
And to hear this three year old tell it - she's ready to tell the whole class her story:
Jo-
"And you're ready to go to school? Youre ready for preschool?"
Alizae Tillett
"Mhm (Inaudible))………What she said…."
Reporting For 7news Jomarie Lanza
