Flagstaff family loses daughter battling cancer to fungal infection
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — As the temperatures across the country rise, doctors are warning about an increasing number of deadly fungal infections. In Northern Arizona, a family is mourning the loss of their 6-year-old daughter Lola, who was battling leukemia and recently died from such an infection.
“She was very sassy and determined,” said Alyssa Aguilar, Lola’s mom.
Lola was a happy and healthy kindergartener who loved to play with her little sister, Phoebe. Her parents said everything changed on Halloween.
“We were heading out the door to go trick-or-treating and she collapsed,” said Drew Zimmer, Lola’s dad.
The Flagstaff family soon learned Lola had leukemia. They said she was immediately flown to Phoenix Children’s Hospital and battled the cancer with grace.
“It was admirable as strong as my daughter was,” said Zimmer.
“She was our inspiration. She really was,” said Aguilar.
After months of grueling treatments and hospital admissions, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Two weeks ago, Lola finished up the second phase of chemotherapy.
“All the doctors and us too were very hopeful and optimistic that she would have reached remission,” said Zimmer.
“We were very convinced that she was going to beat cancer,” said Aguilar. But they never found out if she was cancer-free.
The day after the final round of chemo, Lola went back to the hospital because she had a fever, which turned out to be from a fungal infection.
“Within 24 hours our daughter’s heart stopped and she couldn’t breathe on her own,” said Zimmer. “Seeing your daughter on life support unresponsive is really hard and then having the doctors tell you that the fungal infection she has is untreatable and having to say goodbye, it’s traumatic.”
Aguilar said the chemo destroyed Lola’s immune system, and she died one week ago.
“I get frustrated and angry that she could have beat cancer, but she couldn’t have beat a fungal infection,” said Aguilar.
As they process the loss, Zimmer and Aguilar find new meaning in butterflies and cherries. Both became symbols of hope connected to Lola and now embody the fragility of life.
“Cherish every moment and tell people you love them,” said Zimmer. “Tell your children you love them and kiss them goodnight,” said Aguilar.
These parents want others to take away from their story that if their child is immunocompromised, fungal infections can be deadly. Fungus is often airborne, especially with all the dust in the Valley. They also said you must trust your intuition and always advocate for your child’s health if something doesn’t feel right.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family.
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