Montreal family shares hope after life-saving stem cell transplant

For the Scalzo family, time together has taken on a new meaning. After a life-changing leukemia diagnosis a few years ago, Rick Scalzo is back home, a possibility they weren't always sure would happen.

"I had leukemia, so it was a bit of a blur. It all happened so fast," Rick said. After months of intense treatment at Jewish General Hospital, the family celebrated a remission. However, the cancer returned in 2024, and doctors determined a stem cell transplant was his best chance.

“

I had leukemia, so it was a bit of a blur. It all happened so fast.

"I think it’s the waiting that was tougher to see if they found anything because it was like OK, do they keep treating him or will they have a match soon?" said his wife, Andrea Pugliese. The family received the life-changing news that Rick's two sons were a match, with his youngest child, Antoine, donating stem cells to save his father's life.

“

I think it’s the waiting that was tougher to see if they found anything because it was like OK, do they keep treating him or will they have a match soon?

"When the lady from the hospital called me to let me know I would be donating, I said yes without hesitation," Antoine shared. "Even she was surprised that I didn’t think about it." For Rick's daughter, Felicia, the experience was emotional and inspired her to give back.

"We were really lucky that people had previously donated, and it also saved his life for the time being," she said. "So I wanted to give back to the community to make sure other people had that opportunity as well." This desire has led her to organize blood drives, with a third planned for August 29 at the Kirkland donation center.

“

When the lady from the hospital called me to let me know I would be donating, I said yes without hesitation.

"Giving blood takes an hour of your time; giving plasma is just a gesture that will make a whole difference in the life of the Scalzos and in the life of so many other families," said Josée Larivée, Héma-Québec spokesperson. Information on participating in the Scalzos' blood drive is available online.

“

We were really lucky that people had previously donated, and it also saved his life for the time being. So I wanted to give back to the community to make sure other people had that opportunity as well.