Title: Brazilian Father Succumbs to Hereditary Disease After Losing Three Children to Cancer
By Emily Lefroy | August 15, 2023 | 10:20pm
A Brazilian father, Régis Feitosa Mota, who tragically lost three of his children to cancer, has now succumbed to the same hereditary disease. Mota, 53, was born with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a condition that significantly increases the chances of developing cancerous tumors, as reported by Jam Press.
Individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome have a lifetime risk of developing cancer of 70% for men and 90% for women, potentially facing multiple cancer diagnoses throughout their lives. Mota himself battled cancer three times between 2016 and 2023, with his most recent diagnosis being multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects the bones.
In January, Mota revealed his struggle with the disease, saying, “We discovered yet another disease. We have already treated lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which are now stabilized.”
Last week, Mota shared on social media that he was in the hospital awaiting a bone marrow transplant. However, on Father’s Day in Brazil, which was Sunday, he tragically passed away in Ceará.
His brother, Rogério Feitosa Mota, expressed his sorrow, saying, “Our warrior went to meet his children exactly on Father’s Day. May God take you, my brother! We love you so much.”
Mota’s wife, Mariella Pompeu, shared her deep grief, writing, “My friends, I never imagined making this post. I never prepared myself for this moment because I was always convinced Régis would make a full recovery. It’s an indescribable pain. The ground has opened up, and I don’t know what life will be like without his affection, companionship, and absolute love.”
Tragically, Mota’s three children also lost their lives to cancer within a span of four years. Beatriz, the couple’s youngest child, passed away from leukemia in 2018 at 10 years old. Their son, Pedro, died from a brain tumor in 2020 at the age of 22. Anna Carolina, their daughter, initially beat leukemia but later succumbed to a brain tumor in 2022 at the age of 25.
The heartbreaking story of Régis Feitosa Mota and his family highlights the devastating impact of hereditary diseases like Li-Fraumeni syndrome. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle for improved understanding, prevention, and treatment of cancer worldwide.