Meet Our Families

"“It seemed wonderful to me that foundations like NFED would step in to raise awareness and make sure this important research continued.” ". -Trevino Family

In September 2000, my family and I traveled 3,000 miles to Boston to find a medical miracle for my son, Andy. We had exhausted the resources in our native Mexico and I knew that this trip was our last chance to save his life. We came directly from Logan to Children’s Emergency Room and from the moment we arrived, I noticed that something was different—everyone seemed to care! That caring would come to mean everything to us.

Because he was born with ED with primary immune deficiency, Andy was hospitalized with life-threatening infections for weeks at a time. Children’s became our second home. An email message from Mary K. Richter helped us find his diagnosis as immunologists here discovered the exact genetic mutation causing Andy’s immune system to fail.

During those long days and nights with him, I always wondered who the generous people were who helped make Children’s extraordinary care and research possible. I knew the limitations of insurance companies and government funds. We learned more about government funding restrictions--especially for stem cell research-- when we were told that Andy would die without a bone marrow stem cell transplant from a fully matched donor. It seemed wonderful to me that foundations like NFED would step in to raise awareness and make sure this important research continued.

We decided to have another child (which we had always wanted), but needed a girl, free of Andy’s genetic disease, whose compatible stem cells could replace his and create a new immune system. It was a simple decision, but a difficult procedure, and generated some controversy over similar issues as the stem cell research debate. Finally, on March 14, 2004, our beautiful daughter, Sofia, was born--100 percent compatible with Andy. Her umbilical cord and bone marrow cells were transplanted into Andy seven months later.

Andy is 8 years old now, living as a regular, baseball-playing boy. He’s bilingual, attends school, loves reading, writing and illustrating stories. He’s enjoying friends who don’t live in the hospital room next door. His new immune system is helping him fight infections and stay out of the hospital.

Sofía, 3, is full of energy-- it’s clear that saving her brother’s life was only the beginning.

My wife and I decided to stay here in Massachusetts because we feel so connected to the place that made our story possible. We want to thank foundations like NFED, who showed such caring and generosity and contributed so much to Andy’s cure. We thank you from deep in our hearts and our bone marrow!

¡Muchas gracias!
Andrés Treviño

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