Jose arrives following diagnosis on Team 2008

In January of this year, Jose and his father traveled several hours to find Children of the Americas doctors in Tiquisate, Guatemala. Jose had been suffering with a long-term and rapidly growing hemangioma of the face. Although he is only five years old, Jose's tumor was already the size of a grapefruit and had spread from his upper cheek to below his jaw. COTA staff were reluctant to commit to finding surgical intervention in the United States, since this was a severe and very large growth that would require an interventional radiologist, anesthesiologist, pediatrician and possibly pediatric plastic surgeon. We left Guatemala with an promise to Jose's father that we would try, but we had minimal hope that we would be successful.
Seven months later, due entirely to the determination of April, fellow COTA host mother and busy mother of five, Jose arrived in Tennessee to a group of medical professionals willing to donate their skills to help him. New foster parents Margaret and Scott from Hixon, TN were ready to provide for Jose and include him into their busy household. Kenny, an ER physician and COTA host father, went "above and beyond the normal call of duty" by flying to Guatemala to escort Jose here (there were concerns about bleeding from the tumor with flight pressure changes.)
Six weeks later Jose has had his first round of sclerotherapy injections, is learning English and enjoying life in his temporary home. He has had excellent care and the tumor is reacting positively to the interventions. We are most grateful to the amazing and caring people in Tennessee who refused to forget the needs of a little boy in Guatemala who had no hope of finding care.
Once the tumor has reduced significantly, a photo of Jose will be posted.