A 9-year-old boy from Port St. Lucie, Marco Hannan, who had previously battled and beat cancer, is now in need of a double lung transplant. Marco was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of 5 but managed to defeat the disease after enduring various treatments including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy treatment caused Marco to develop pulmonary fibrosis, a condition where his lungs were damaged.
Marco and his mother, Graziella Hannan, are currently in Gainesville at UF Health Shands Hospital, waiting for a suitable lung donor. The wait for pediatric lungs can be lengthy, with an average waiting period of 90 days. Graziella is prepared to stay in Gainesville for as long as it takes until Marco receives the lung transplant. Marco remains positive, viewing his current condition as an extension of his previous battle with cancer. The family’s community has rallied around them, raising funds to support Marco’s medical care.
Graziella hopes that by sharing their story, others will be more vigilant about their health and follow-up care. She emphasizes the importance of early detection and timely treatment, as delaying care could have had fatal consequences for Marco. The family has also set up a GoFundMe page to seek further assistance for Marco’s treatment expenses.
