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Hope for a Little Spitfire

Emily Trotta

As a mother of five children, Terri Trotta of Wappinger Falls was accustomed to many trips to the doctor for ear infections, colds and flu. But she knew something was wrong with her only daughter, Emily, when she made several trips to various doctors over six months and no one could explain why her two-year-old was constantly ill. Finally, in July 2003 Terri received the news that no parent wants to hear. Emily was diagnosed with leukemia.

Since the diagnosis, the Trotta’s life has been a roller coaster ride of hospitals stays and chemotherapy treatments. During the course of her treatment, Emily has need blood transfusions on various occasions. “Emily was ok during her initial chemotherapy treatment, but the maintenance treatments have been way different,” commented Terri. There have been lengthy hospital stays and several transfusions when Emily’s blood count lowered.

“She’s a spitfire,” says Terri. “She remains in good spirits, and, when she can, she tries hard to keep up with her brothers.” In addition to her twin brother Stephen, Emily has three older brothers.

Emily finished treatment in September and begins pre-kindergarten in October. “It’s hard for her now because she can’t do the normal things she’d like to when she isn’t feeling well,” says Terri. “She can’t go to Chuck E Cheese or gymnastics because we can’t risk her catching something from the other kids.” Terri and her husband Emilio look forward to the days that Emily can run after her brothers and watch their baseball games with no worries.

The Trotta’s now understand the importance of blood donors and what a special gift they give of themselves. “Before Emily was diagnosed, I, like many others thought chemotherapy was for old people,” remarks Terri. “There are babies, just weeks old, diagnosed with this hideous disease – cancer. People need to be aware of this really bad need for blood.”