The Story of Icla da Silva: A Young Girl’s Dream That Continues to Save Lives

When she was diagnosed with leukemia at just 11 years old, everything changed in an instant. The only cure was a bone marrow transplant, so her family sold everything they had and moved from Brazil to New York City, hoping she could receive treatment at one of the world’s premier cancer centers, Memorial Sloan Kettering. The journey was long and difficult, but Icla never stopped smiling. Those other patients became her friends, she dreamed of helping them. And when she passed, her family found a note: “I’m fine Mom, please don’t worry about me. Help my friends.” For the last 33 years, we have been fulfilling that wish. The Icla da Silva Foundation was created to help patients and families in their struggle to receive a life-saving bone marrow transplant. Visit @ to learn more.