Condition Worsens For NYC Girl Battling Leukemia
Despite Bone Marrow Transplant In August, Cancer Returns For Brave 6-Year-Old Jasmina Anema
Experimental Treatment, Never Before Tested On Children, May Be Young Girl's Last Hope
Reporting
Cindy Hsu
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Jasmina Anema, 6, was released from the hospital three months ago after a bone marrow transplant to treat her leukemia, but now the cancer has returned, and Jasmina's condition is worsening.
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You may remember the story of a young girl who's been fighting leukemia. Unfortunately, her recovery, once hopeful, has taken a turn for the worse.
We first met Jasmina Anema in January, when she and her best friend, Isabelle, made a video letting people know she desperately needed a bone marrow transplant – and how easy it is to be tested.
Amazingly, they found a partial match, and Jasmina was released from the hospital three months ago, but her latest biopsy was not so good. The cancer has returned, and Jasmina's condition is worsening.
Now, Jasmina is pretty weak and tired, and her mother is now looking to an experimental treatment that's never been used on a child.
"It has just been used on 30 adults," Jasmina's mother, Thea Anema, said. "So, at one point there was the first adult, so this gives me some hope."
Jasmina is still in isolation, so she's unable to leave her home without special precautions such as a face mask. But in many ways, she's like any other six-year-old: she's excited about dressing up for Halloween, and she loves putting on temporary tattoos.
She also knows when her mother needs a boost.
"She says beautiful things to me, like, 'Oh, don't worry Momma, it's going to be okay,' or 'Oh momma, don't cry, think of something beautiful,' and patting me on the back," Thea said.
Jasmina and Thea both find comfort knowing that more lives are being saved,
to the thousands of strangers inspired by Jasmina's story who are now on the bone marrow registry.
That is especially important for children with Leukemia who've been adopted, and have no contact with family members who are the likeliest match.
Jasmina was adopted when she was three days old.
"We call each other M.F.E.O. – made for each other – which is truly from the beginning, there was such a bond and there's still such a bond," Thea said.
"It would be great if anyone who sees this will send us positive vibes, and also hope for a miracle," Thea said.
Jasmina plans to start the experimental treatment as soon as her doctor gives the okay.