The air in the hospital corridor hums with a quiet determination, a stark contrast to the lively dreams of an 8-year-old boy. Yiğit Efe Taş, a third-grade student from Kastamonu, moves through this world with a bicycle, not on a playground, but within the sterile confines of a hospital. His journey, which began with a simple bee sting, transformed into a battle against leukemia, a battle he is now winning thanks to a life-saving bone marrow transplant in Ankara.
A Bee Sting, a Diagnosis, a New Beginning
For Yasemin and Murat Taş, parents of two, life changed dramatically on August 29, 2024. A bee sting on their son Yiğit Efe’s neck led to an alarming swelling, prompting a visit to the local hospital. What followed was a suspicion of leukemia, and a swift transfer to Bilkent City Hospital in Ankara. There, the diagnosis was confirmed: Yiğit Efe had leukemia.
For six grueling months, Yiğit Efe underwent chemotherapy at Bilkent City Hospital. The family’s hopes hinged on finding a suitable donor, a quest that culminated on March 18, when a match was found through the Turkish Stem Cell Coordination Center (TÜRKÖK). The bone marrow transplant, a beacon of hope, marked a new chapter in Yiğit Efe’s young life.
Education Amidst Treatment: A Dream of School
Despite the arduous treatment, Yiğit Efe’s spirit remained unbroken, particularly his desire to learn. He continued his education online through the Ministry of National Education’s Education Information Network (EBA), attending his classes from the hospital. His father, Murat Taş, recounts, “Yiğit Efe never used to draw, but in the hospital, he started. He does charcoal drawings, reads books, and rides his bicycle. For nine months during his illness, he spent his time riding his bicycle in the corridors.”
Now, with the transplant behind him, Yiğit Efe harbors a simple yet profound dream: to return to his school and play with his friends. “Thank you to my volunteer donor,” he says with heartfelt gratitude. “After the hospital, I will receive home education. I do activities in the hospital classroom. When I grow up, I want to be a YouTuber and make videos. I am a Galatasaray fan, and I love Osimhen and Icardi very much. I want to watch a Galatasaray match from the stands once. I miss playing games and football with my friends very much. When Osimhen scored a goal, I was very happy, so I drew a picture for him, and I want to give it to him.”
The Fight Continues: A Family’s Plea and a Doctor’s Insight
Murat Taş emphasizes the importance of perseverance for families facing similar struggles. “Our story started with a bee sting,” he shares. “The bee stung him under his pupil. Three days later, his neck started to swell like a hazelnut. That’s how we became suspicious. When we took him to the hospital, they suspected leukemia and referred him. The diagnosis was confirmed here. Thank God, he responded to the treatment. We didn’t give up the fight. He is doing well now, thank God. Our process continues. I invite everyone to volunteer for TÜRKÖK. I will also be a volunteer donor for TÜRKÖK.”
Prof. Dr. Dilek Gürlek Gökçebay, an attending physician at Bilkent City Hospital’s Pediatric Hematology Clinic, explains that Yiğit Efe is currently receiving inpatient treatment due to liver problems that arose after the transplant. She highlights that leukemia, a childhood cancer, can be successfully treated. “Among the warning signs for patients and families are high fever, sudden weight loss in the child, and bruising in various parts of the body. Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck area, are also common complaints. Leukemia is a disease that can be successfully treated in childhood,” she states, offering a message of hope to those navigating this challenging diagnosis.
The journey of Yiğit Efe is a testament to the power of medical science, the unwavering love of a family, and the profound generosity of a stranger. As he continues to recover, his dreams of school, YouTube, and cheering for Galatasaray from the stands serve as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
Source: https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/ankara/losemili-yigit-efe-nakille-hayata-tutundu-43051770
