A Saint James mother says her 4-year-old son who is battling brain cancer can't get the chemo he needs because he has COVID-19.
News 12 spoke to Jennifer Ferruzzi via Skype, who said her family came down with coronavirus. She says it has kept her son, Matteo, from getting the medical care that he needs.
Matteo was rushed to Cohen's Children's Hospital when he started feeling sick and developed symptoms, including his eyes crossing. It was discovered that he had an inoperable malignant brain tumor.
Matteo had emergency surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain, and was then sent home to recover before he could begin chemo. But that's when Ferruzzi came down with COVID-19 and had to self-quarantine. Matteo eventually also tested positive.
His positive test is now getting in the way of getting the lifesaving treatment he needs. They were recently retested, but both are still positive.
Amid the difficult situation, a
GoFundMe page was set up to aid the family.
"The outpouring of love from Saint James ... thank you everyone from the bottom of our hearts," says Ferruzzi.
She also shared a message to other parents during this difficult time.
"If your child is showing symptoms or complaining about something, get them into their pediatrician right away," she says. "It is better to be safe than sorry."
PHOTOS: Your Coronavirus Photos
undefined