Mar 16

Mar 16 Meet Lucca, your 2018 Patient Hero for Cancer Research

Last summer, Lucca received shocking news. In intense pain, with what he originally thought was a sinus infection, Lucca underwent a CT scan and MRI at his local children’s hospital in the Central Valley.

The diagnosis: Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma, a rare, benign, but highly invasive tumor growing in the back of his nasal cavity.

Your support of cancer research at Packard Children’s means that we are a leader in the treatment and care of rare conditions like Lucca’s. The doctors referred Lucca to our Bass Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases and he was rushed by ambulance to Palo Alto.

“We were scared and didn't know what to expect,” says Lucca’s mom, Suzie. “Valley Children’s had already informed us that it would require two surgeries. We had gone from sinus infection to tumor and two surgeries in a matter of hours. We were very concerned, but we knew we were in good hands.”

At Packard Children’s, Lucca’s care team began his treatment, first with a surgery to cut off blood supply to the tumor, and then an eight-hour surgery the following day to remove it.

“The team worked tirelessly through the night and into the early hours of the morning,” says Suzie. A team spanning pediatric and adult specialties participated in the complicated and rare procedure.

Amazingly, Lucca was able to head home within days of his surgery. Today, he is a healthy high school student, who is creating masterpieces in his Advanced Placement Studio Art class and serving as captain of the Speech and Debate team.

“The outstanding care team at Packard Children’s saved my life, and my parents and I were inspired to give back to the hospital,” says Lucca. “Art has always led my mind away from life’s stresses, and while recovering at Packard Children’s, I was asked if I would like to participate in their arts and crafts room. Although I was too weak to draw at the time, I realized that art was very important to the hospital as well.”

Lucca and his parents started “Pack It Up for Packard”—a community art supply drive to stock the Art Cart and playrooms at Packard Children’s with new art supplies. Last fall, the Lorenzis donated over 800 new packs of crayons, markers, paper, canvases, and other art supplies. They hope to hold an even more successful art drive this summer.

“Without my surgeries, I would never have been aware of the wonderful opportunities this hospital seeks to provide for its patients,” says Lucca. “The nurses and doctors at Packard Children’s have done so much for my family and me; it was only natural that we pay it forward.”

We are so grateful to have Lucca and our other Patient Heroes join us for Summer Scamper on June 24. Join us for a day of celebrating Packard Children’s and the amazing families we serve. Come see what a difference your support makes for children’s health!