Our son Ty was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) on May 6, 2023, at the age of 12. After observing petechiae on his legs we took him to a local convenient care clinic. Shortly after leaving the clinic, we were notified of an elevated white blood count which prompted us to be seen at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital emergency room where he was diagnosed with a form of leukemia. To say we were devastated is an understatement. Our strong, athletic son has cancer. 

After the initial shock we quickly got laser focused on getting Ty better and everything that entailed. The following day his specific diagnosis came back (T-ALL) & we met with his team of doctors. Just two days after diagnosis he got his port placed, bone marrow biopsy, and spinal tap. He also received his first chemotherapy treatments that evening after surgery. Ty had blasts (chemo cells) in his marrow & blood but thankfully not in his spinal fluid.

We are now almost 5 months into his journey, and he is doing well and has tolerated the chemotherapy with no major side effects. We know God wouldn’t have led us on this painful journey without a purpose. That purpose has already shined bright through these dark days. Ty is excited to spread love, hope, & encouragement to kids going through cancer like him. As his mother, I am hoping to help spread awareness and the need to increase cancer research funding for kids. Ty is grateful for the opportunity to serve as one of this years Honored Heroes.