Jaden and His Battle with Ewing sarcoma

Jaden Cotrina is a 14-year-old boy from Peru who has been fighting a tough battle with Ewing
sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Jaden and his family moved to the United States recently,
seeking treatment at Yale Connecticut Children’s Hospital. Although everything in the United
States is new to him, the fight against cancer is all too familiar. His journey has been difficult,
but Jaden remains strong, facing each day with courage and a positive attitude.
Jaden loves building Lego sets. It's one of his favorite things to do in his free time, and the joy it
brings him is a welcome distraction from the grueling treatments. His love for Legos made a
special moment even more memorable when he received a gift from Blocks of Hope—a Lego set
that brought him so much happiness. The joy on his face when he saw the gift was something his
family will never forget.
One of the most memorable moments came when Shaurya, a 14-year-old cancer survivor, met
Jaden. Shaurya, who had also fought cancer at Jaden's age, immediately connected with him.
They shared their stories and experiences, and it was comforting for Jaden to meet someone who
truly understood what he was going through. Shaurya’s visit was a reminder that, though the road
is tough, there is hope, and there are people who truly care.
Jaden’s treatment has not been easy. He’s been doing okay, but his body is vulnerable due to the
side effects of the cancer treatments. The daily radiation therapy has been especially challenging.
It has caused infections in his mouth, throat, and nose, leading to painful wounds that became
infected. His family spent 10 days in the hospital, watching him struggle. During this time, Jaden
was unable to speak or eat, relying on intravenous feeding to get the nutrition he needed. Despite
these challenges, Jaden is incredibly strong, and his wounds are much better now, thanks to the
care and treatment he’s receiving.
Though the journey has been difficult, Jaden’s resilience is inspiring. His family is thankful for
the support they’ve received from organizations like Blocks of Hope, who bring moments of joy
and comfort during such a hard time. Jaden’s love for Legos and his ability to keep smiling
despite the tough times remind everyone around him of the power of hope and the strength
within.