Sports

SWR wrestler’s biggest move comes off the mat

Kaitlyn's story was first told in 2009 in the News-Review's former sister paper, the North Shore Sun. Suarez was a member of the girls lacrosse team that won a state title that year.
Kaitlyn’s story was first told in 2009 in the News-Review’s former sister paper, the North Shore Sun. Suarez was a member of the girls lacrosse team that won a state title that year.

Since August, Kaitlyn has been receiving a new cancer-targeted therapy that uses antibodies to attack only cancerous cells. “So far, I have not had ANY side effects from the drug — no nausea or hair loss,” she wrote in an email. “It is truly incredible.”

The transplant is expected to take place this month at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Once the green light is given, James will be taken out of school and administered a weeklong series of shots to boost his immune system before the procedure is done. Kaitlyn said she will remain in the hospital for five to six weeks.

For Kaitlyn, it’s a chance for a new life, but James will be getting something in return, too.

“Just to be able to say that I gave her all that she needs to survive this horrible disease is all that I need,” he said. “Everything else doesn’t matter to me. I’m so thankful that I could do this.”

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