Family with Lilaf Cubara who settled in Istanbul, her treatment continued at the Health Sciences University (SBÜ) Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital. As her disease progressed, Cubara was transferred to the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic of the SBÜ İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital. After being treated in intensive care for some time, her doctors decided on an emergency bone marrow transplant. In the examinations, it was determined that the bone marrow of the 18-year-old brother, Ali Cubara, was compatible with the little girl.
With close attention from the doctors, Cubara received a bone marrow transplant from her older brother Ali Cubara 3.5 months ago. After a successful operation, the Syrian child, who has recovered, is happy to have regained her health in Turkey.
“They Spoke Highly of Turkish Physicians”
Manal Zanernı, the mother trying to build a new life far from her country, told the Anadolu Agency (AA) reporter that after losing her husband in the war, she went through very difficult times with her children in Syria and that when she learned her daughter had leukemia, she fought for her life.
Zanernı explained that the hospital where her daughter was being treated was bombed by the Assad forces, saying, “We decided to go to Turkey to save my child's life. Doctors in Syria always spoke highly of Turkish physicians. It was a good decision. The bone marrow taken from my older son was transplanted into my daughter. My daughter recovered thanks to the Turkish doctors.”
Zanernı emphasized that Turkey embraced her family in their most difficult times and that her Turkish friends who were with her during the treatment process always gave her morale.
“I Want to Study”
Lilaf Cubara, who held on to life with her brother's bone marrow, said she was happy to have regained her health. Lilaf, who stated that she suffered a lot during her illness, said, “I don't think I would have recovered if I had stayed in Syria. I regained my health, and I owe it to the Turkish doctors. They took care of me every day for my recovery. I want to study. I want to continue my schooling after my treatments are over.”
“We Observed That the Bone Marrow Transplant Was 100% Successful”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barış Malbora, the Administrative Head of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic at SBÜ İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, stated that Lilaf Cubara was in a critical stage with a life-threatening condition when she came to them.
Malbora, who stated that Cubara was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), noted:
"This disease had transformed into the faster-progressing form of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She was transferred to us when her disease progressed rapidly. She regained her health with a bone marrow transplant from her brother. 106 days have passed since the transplant. We observed that the bone marrow transplant was 100% successful. Her brother's stem cells and blood are circulating in Lilaf's blood. We continue to monitor her."
SOURCE: AA