My name is Colin. I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on March 27, 2017. I wanted to tell my story from my point of view, with a little help from my parents.

I was 21 months old when I was diagnosed, so I don’t remember much. They have told me about my diagnosis day, and how I was sick before I was diagnosed. They told me about all the time we spent at the hospital. I don’t remember my “sleepy medicine” before getting medicine in my spine or getting my “tubie” and the medicine in that. I do remember getting prizes from the “treasure chest” at the doctor for when I was brave. I also remember taking some of my medicine at home, which I had to do until I was 5. I also remember the awesome day that I got to ring the bell when I finished treatment.

I am now 10 years old, and it has been 5 years since my treatment ended. I am a typical kid. I am great at video games, Legos, baseball, basketball and swimming. And I love hanging out with my friends and family. Sometimes it is difficult for me to talk about all of this, but something I learned through all of this is to be brave and face your fear head on - even if you are scared.

I have always liked going to all the activities PCFLV has for families, especially Camp Smile because I wanted to meet more kids like me - and it’s super fun. Meeting other kids at Camp Smile that have been through similar stuff has really helped me feel more brave. My favorite parts of Camp Smile are all of the art projects and dodgeball. The counselors are awesome, and I want to be one when I get older. Thank you!

Written by Colin

Please consider helping children with cancer and others in our community by scheduling a blood donation at Miller-Keystone Blood Center: https://donor.giveapint.org/donor/schedules/zip