Yarian was a vibrant six-year-old who loved nothing more than playing soccer and basketball, just like his father, Marco. Simple pleasures that can bring pure joy to a young boy. But in December 2023, Yarian’s life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer that rapidly worsens if not treated quickly.
It all started with what seemed like a common stomach virus that kept getting worse and worse. When Carina noticed unusual lumps forming in her son’s neck, she knew something wasn’t right. Her motherly instinct kicked in—this was more than just a passing illness. When Yarian began having difficulty walking, Carina’s concern grew deeper. “I knew this wasn’t normal,” she recalls. That’s when she rushed Yarian to Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Emergency Room.
The hospital’s team of doctors quickly ran lab tests, and within hours, they had uncovered the unsettling news that Yarian was battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. With an already hard diagnosis to process, his doctors also discovered that Yarian had bleeding in his brain, a severe complication that put his life at immediate risk.
“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing – I was in shock,” Carina said. “My child has cancer. Why did this happen?”
Yarian’s cancer journey began with an intensive treatment plan that included chemotherapy and radiation. He spent the next several months in the hospital, staying through Christmas and New Year’s. Hackensack Meridian K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital became his temporary home, but despite his battle with cancer, Yarian and his family never felt alone.
Thanks to the compassionate pediatric oncology team, including Dr. Jessica Scerbo and Danielle, a dedicated child life specialist, each day in the hospital was made a little brighter for Yarian.
Danielle visited him daily, bringing Legos, video games and a comforting presence. She even found creative ways to explain cancer in a way that Yarian could understand, helping to alleviate some of his fear and confusion.
“Danielle had a special way of connecting with Yarian,” Carina shares. “She reassured him and described what he was going through in terms he could grasp.”
While the treatments made Yarian feel weak and exhausted, he remained hopeful and determined. He often told his mom that he looked forward to having the strength to play soccer and basketball again someday.
After a difficult period of treatment and uncertainty, Yarian made it through. Now seven-years-old, he continues to receive outpatient care. His days of being isolated in the hospital have taught him to cherish every moment spent with other kids. Today, he is back to doing what he loves—playing with friends, just like any other child his age.
“I really appreciate all the support, and the care Yarian received while he was in the hospital. The way they treated him at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital saved my son’s life,” Carina says with gratitude. “It is truly a blessing he is still with us.”
Yarian’s journey isn’t over, but his story is one of resilience and hope. With every day that passes, he grows stronger and is expected to have a full recovery – living proof of the power of advanced medical care and a loving community that never gave up on him.
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