Maite shares how her daughter, Alessia, went from frequent pain crises and hospitalizations to being officially sickle cell–free after a sibling (HLA-matched) bone marrow transplant. She opens up about the early months on penicillin and folic acid, the life-changing impact of hydroxyurea, pursuing IVF to conceive donor-sibling Viva, choosing a compassionate transplant team, and the joy of “dancing in the rain” again—plus her new bilingual children’s book, Just Like the Moon.

What You’ll Hear

• Diagnosis at birth, early pain crises, and how hydroxyurea changed day-to-day life.

• Why the family chose IVF to create a potential donor match and how they selected a transplant center.

• What inpatient transplant really looked like (isolation, crafts, music therapy, child life, and window “friends”).

• Post-transplant milestones, advocacy tips for parents (advocate, educate, find community), and the meaning of being “officially cured.”

• Maite’s bilingual picture book for kids living with sickle cell—and for siblings, classmates, and friends.
  

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Just Like the Moon, a book written by Maite Rodriguez
• Sickle Cell 101
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Program
• Sickle Cell Consortium – Resources & Advocacy
• Ronald McDonald House Charities – family lodging during hospital care

SupportSpot (for families & care teams)

Put child life tools in your pocket. SupportSpot gives parents step-by-step tips to prepare kids for procedures, manage anxiety, and advocate with confidence—anytime, anywhere. Learn more about SupportSpot.

🌟 Special Thank You for Our Listeners! 🎉

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The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided