Hematology/Oncology Care
Aaron Cheng hasn't let having a blood disease stop him from excelling at everything he does. At nine months old, Aaron was diagnosed with Cooley's Anemia or thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder. Aaron was diagnosed with the most severe form of thalassemia, which affects less than 1,000 people in the United States. Ever since Aaron was 15 months old, he's had to receive regular blood transfusions. Between the ages of 2 to 13 years old, he was on subcutaneous injections with a pump for 8-10 hours a day, five days a week, until an oral medicine replaced it. Despite his blood disorder, he's kept a very positive outlook on life.
Today, at 18 years-old, Aaron is an excellent student and has maintained a 4.8 GPA all while being the Captain of his high school's Academic Decathlon Team. Most recently, he led his team to a first place victory out of LA County high schools in an Academic Decathlon Championship and came in fifth place out of 500 teams for all of Calif. He graduated from West High School in Torrance and is currently enrolled at Harvard where he wants to study neurobiology.
Besides being very academically driven, Aaron helps fundraise for the Cooley's Anemia Foundation, an organization dedicated to serving people with thalassemia and he was able to raise more than $2,000 for this group. Aaron also is gifted musically, until his freshman year of high school; he played piano as well as the cello in a local orchestra. Aaron likes to go to the movies, read, listen to heavy metal and looks forward to playing the drums in the future.
The following is an excerpt from an article Aaron wrote was featured on Cooleysanemia.org website, "Thalassemia is no longer a monster to me; rather, it is part of me, and it breathes the fire of passion and inspiration throughout my body. What was once a weakness, a flaw, is now my prized gem," wrote Aaron. "Always embrace obstacles, for obstacles are actually valuable lessons cleverly disguised. Without confronting obstacles you will never grow. Obstacles will never crush you as long as you have the resolve to overcome them."
 More than 800 children are treated each year at the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center for various types of childhood cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), brain tumors, hard tissue, soft tissue, neurblastoma and Wilms' tumor. JJCCC at Miller Children's is also a regional leader in serious blood disorders, such as aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia and hemophilia. Board-certified pediatric hematologist/oncologists are available 24/7, along with pediatric sub-specialists for consultation, to provide medical and supportive treatments, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and/or blood transfusions.
Pediatric Leukemia Care
JJCCC at Miller Children's offers comprehensive, multi-disciplinary diagnosis, treatment, consultation and long-term follow-up care for pediatric and adolescent patients with hematologic malignancies. Many children with leukemia, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), benefit from blood transfusions. Miller Children's board-certified pediatric hematologists/oncologists have specific expertise in pediatric leukemias, such as ALL and AML. JJCCC consistently meets or exceeds national survival rates of pediatric patients with ALL. Today, more than 80 percent of children diagnosed with ALL are cured across the nation.
Neuro-Oncology Care
The Neuro-Oncology Program at JJCCC offers the latest in diagnostic evaluation, intervention and treatment of pediatric brain tumors and spinal cord tumors. Pediatric oncologists work with radiation oncologists and pediatric surgeons to provide treatment using the latest clinical protocols. Follow-up treatment for childhood brain tumor survivors is available in the Neuro-Oncology Clinic.
Bone & Solid Tumor Care
JJCCC at Miller Children's provides leading care for children with tumors of the bone (benign or malignant), soft tissue, abdomen and other areas. A multi-disciplinary care team collaborates to develop a care plan, through chemotherapy treatment, radiotherapy and/or clinical trials to improve outcomes. The most common patients seen here are children and young adults with retinoblastoma, tumor of the eye, and osteosarcoma, the most common pediatric bone tumor.
Hematology & Hemophilia Care
Children and adolescents with all forms of non-malignant blood disorders, including anemias, bleeding problems, blood clots, platelet disorders, red and white blood cell disorders and sickle cell are treated through the hematology program. Medication can be given to help manage many blood disorders. Blood transfusions, marrow aspirations and factor replacement therapies for various forms of hemophilia can be used to help treat and manage a child's serious blood disorder in the Infusion Center.
- Blood Transfusions
During a blood transfusion, a person (the recipient) receives healthy blood from another person (the donor). Before receiving a blood transfusion, the recipient's blood is analyzed closely (using blood type) to make sure the donor blood is a close match to the recipient's. The donated blood is carefully screened for diseases before it is used. Blood is transfused into an arm vein slowly over one to four hours (except in an emergency when blood is transfused more quickly).
- Factor Replacement Therapy
Early treatment of bleeding episodes is crucial. Administering intravenous clotting factor replacement stops the bleeding and reduces the risk of complications.
- Sickle Cell Treatment
Usually diagnosed at birth, sickle cell disease is an inherited red blood cell disorder, which can cause anemia and episodes of blood vessel occlusion that lead to a wide variety of clinical symptoms. Preventive blood transfusion or exchange transfusion therapies, screening for acute complications and recognizing the early signs of life threatening or chronic complications, is important to the management of sickle cell.
Adolescent & Young Adult Care
Cancer patients in their teens have access to the latest treatment alternatives and clinical trials to enhance outcomes. Clinical protocols, tailoring treatment specifically to their age group and psychosocial care, such as school re-integration and college counseling, are fused to create the best quality of life for the adolescent patient.
Additional Medical Care Provided to Enhance Programs:
- Comfort Care
Pharmacists work closely with physicians to help control patient's pain, evaluate newly approved drugs and investigate ways to reduce side effects.
- Dental Care
Pediatric dentists perform an extroral and intraoral assessment and a visual screening examination of the soft tissues of the mouth and teeth, to determine any side effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other treatment.
- Nutrition Support
Dietitians—specializing in cancer/blood disorders—assess the nutritional needs of patients and develop specific nutritional programs tailored to each child, helping them enjoy their food and get important nutrients.
- Pediatric Rehabilitation Therapy
Specially trained pediatric physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists are available to children and young adults with cancer.
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