Ten years have passed since Santiago Restrepo’s son, Javier – known to most as “Javi,” passed away following a courageous battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 4 on July 31, 2009.
But for the Arkansas State head volleyball coach, it feels like yesterday.
Javi was first diagnosed with cancer at just a year and a half old. After undergoing rounds of chemotherapy, as well as a bone marrow transplant, he then ultimately needed a liver transplant after another round of chemotherapy. That perfect match? Santiago’s brother-in-law, who donated a portion of his liver to help his nephew continue fighting.