It started with stomach aches.
When Diario “Junior” DiMartino was a toddler, they started having ongoing tummy troubles. At first, the symptoms seemed like they could be constipation, something with their diet or another common childhood concern.
But the symptoms didn’t go away. Eventually, a visit to urgent care led to a transfer to Children’s Minnesota. There, Junior’s parents, Savannah and DJ, received news they never expected: Junior had a nearly 6-inch tumor on their liver.
Liver cancer diagnosis
In June 2019, when Junior was 19 months old, they were diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer that primarily affects children under the age of 5. Until that moment, cancer was not on the family’s mind.
“When you hear those words, ‘We think your child has cancer,’ you wonder, ‘Is this something that’s treatable? Is this something they’re going to be dealing with long term?’” Savannah said.
Navigating cancer while preparing for a new baby
As difficult as the diagnosis was, the family was also facing another major life event.
Savannah was pregnant with Junior’s soon-to-be younger brother, DaVinci. Suddenly, Savannah and DJ found themselves trying to balance cancer treatment, obstetrician appointments and preparations for their second child.
DaVinci was born about a month after Junior’s diagnosis. DaVinci spent a week in the NICU at Children’s Minnesota after arriving a little early. During that time, the family split their days between cancer treatment and caring for a newborn.
A team that felt like family
Junior received care through the cancer and blood disorders program at Children’s Minnesota, the largest pediatric program of its kind in the Upper Midwest. The program cares for more than half of Minnesota children diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders.
For Savannah, it was the people behind the care who made a difference.
“The team was phenomenal,” she said. “From day one, I felt like they really took us under their wings. They treated us like family.”
Savannah remembers nurses, doctors and staff who answered countless questions, sat with the family during difficult moments and helped make an overwhelming situation feel manageable. Years later, many of those relationships remain strong.
“They made us feel like they had it,” Savannah said. “Like we could put our worry aside because they had it.”
For treatment, Junior was enrolled in a clinical trial that gave them access to care informed by the latest advances in pediatric cancer treatment. The plan included six months of chemotherapy, surgery to remove an affected lobe of the liver and three additional months of chemotherapy. Much of the early treatment required extended inpatient stays.
More than expert medical care
During those long days and weeks in the hospital, support came in many forms.
Child life specialists helped explain treatment in ways a young child could understand. They brought toys, bubbles, Play-Doh and activities to help keep Junior distracted during treatments. Star Studio, the TV station in the hospital, became another favorite. Junior loved playing along during the Bingo show.
That support extended to the entire family.
“Child Life is great,” Savannah said. “When we needed a break, they were there to play with Junior or sit and engage with them while we rested.”
The family also received meal vouchers and parking assistance while balancing Junior’s cancer treatment and DaVinci’s NICU stay. Savannah said those resources were incredibly helpful during a challenging time.
These programs and services are made possible through the generosity of donors who support Children’s Minnesota. Donor support helps provide child life specialists, Star Studio programming, meal vouchers, parking assistance and other resources that help families through some of their hardest days.
Thriving today
More than five-and-a-half years after completing treatment, Junior is a thriving 9 year old.
They are active in sports, and one of their favorites is Taekwondo. They recently earned their blue belt. They also excel in school. Follow-up medical imaging and blood work continue to look good.
For Savannah, that outcome once felt uncertain.
“When you get those initial words [cancer], we weren’t sure that we’d get to this point or what this point might look like,” she said.
When asked how they are doing today, Junior offered a simple answer: “Happy.”
Today, Junior’s happiness is a reminder of what comprehensive pediatric cancer care can help make possible: more birthdays, more school days, more family moments and more time for kids to simply be kids.
Make a difference for kids like Junior
Shine Bright for Kids is a fundraiser for the cancer and blood disorders program at Children’s Minnesota, which cares for more than 3,500 kids — from babies to young adults — every year. Your gift funds special therapies, child life specialists, art therapists, parking and meal vouchers and so much more. Donate now to support kids like Junior at childrensmn.org/shinebrightforkids.
