Liam’s Story

Liam was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on December 16, 2018. He was four years old.

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For three months prior to Liam being diagnosed, I did not know what was going on with my son. He was complaining about leg pain, body aches, his lack of appetite. My son was always tired and he was losing all his energy. We continued to take Liam to see his pediatrician, and they told us he was having a viral illness. Then one day, my son asked me to carry him because he was unable to walk, and I demanded his doctor send him for blood work. Let’s just say WEB MD searches, which is never recommended, were scaring me.

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Liam’s results came back on Friday night at 11:30pm. His pediatrician was contacting me to rush him to the hospital because he was showing that he was anemic and needed a blood transfusion. My heart sank. I was five months pregnant with my daughter. I did not know what to think, and my husband was out of town. I jumped in the car and rushed my son to the hospital. After we arrived, everything happened so quickly. I never experienced cancer. I didn’t know much about it. As a parent, hearing your small innocent child must go for various procedures and live in a bubble away from germs immediately changes your life forever. Suddenly, you are dealing with mood swings, loss of hair, and seeing your child constantly sick and tired.

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Thankfully, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital hematology/oncolocy team and PCFLV have been amazing help and support. The love and care that they provided to my son and my family, the gifts, the events to try to get our minds away from everything – it was all amazing. We will never forget that. It was like gaining a family outside of our family.

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Liam had two years of procedures and chemotherapy. He was scheduled to complete three years, but by the grace of God, his protocol changed, and he no longer needed to suffer. He was able to complete his treatment process by February 18, 2021.

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There is hope for children with cancer, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Although my family went through such a traumatic time, seeing the strength in my son today is all the happiness we needed after this process. I would advise all parents to continue their faith, and just believe your child will be healed.

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Written by Glorimar, Liam’s mom

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Please consider donating in Liam’s honor to support PCFLV's mission.

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Please also consider helping local kids with cancer by donating blood at Miller-Keystone Blood Center:

https://donor.giveapint.org/donor/schedules/centers