Flu Symptoms Lead Doctors to Rare Diagnosis

What began as flu-like symptoms for this energetic, four-year-old cancer patient turned out to be a rare primary immune deficiency that affects about 1 in 1 million children.

Jovon’s mother trusted the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System, for her child’s chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and experimental stem cell immunotherapy not offered at other locations in South Florida.

“We have very special research that goes on here and new, novel therapies to treat rare diseases, such as what Jovon has,” said pediatric expert Dr. Gary Kleiner. “It allows us to provide cutting-edge treatments and cures to children.”

“This is an awesome place,” said Jovon’s mother, Brittany. “I’m just glad to be here today. I’m glad that he’s here today.”

Tags: bone marrow transplant, primary immune deficiency, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center