Meet Brooks – Leukemia Warrior
“We are so grateful that burden was taken off our plate so that we could focus on Brooks’ treatments and getting him better. Thank you so much,” shared Ashley, Brooks' mom.
Brooks’ Journey
Just days before Christmas in 2023, Brooks’ mother, Ashley, noticed tiny pinpoint dots around his eyes. These dots concerned her, so she sent pictures to their pediatrician, who immediately ordered bloodwork. The results revealed dangerously low platelet levels, causing petechiae (small areas of bleeding) around his eyes, along with other abnormalities. Without hesitation, their pediatrician referred them to a hematologist.
Over the next few months, Brooks endured three bone marrow biopsies and a blood transfusion. After two months of countless tests and appointments, his family finally received an answer—Brooks was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), an extremely rare type of leukemia. To add to this devastating news, Brooks’ parents were informed that the only cure for their son’s cancer would be a bone marrow transplant.
Determined to give Brooks the best chance at recovery, his family embarked on a challenging journey. After two rounds of chemotherapy and two surgeries, they transferred to a center nearly three hours from their home to receive his lifesaving transplant. Brooks, his big sister, Rowan, and their mother temporarily relocated to be near his treatment center for four months. His father, Dylan, was able to stay for six weeks while Brooks was admitted before commuting back and forth from their home to continue working and supporting the family. Thankfully, the transplant was successful, and he recovered well. “We’re hanging in there and taking it day by day. I am hoping for the best,” shared Ashley.
For an entire year, Brooks’ family made weekly, and sometimes more frequent, trips to the clinic and hospital, traveling over an hour each way. During their relocation, Brooks’ father commuted 120 miles one way for work. Despite the emotional and physical toll of treatment, the family remained determined in their fight to get Brooks healthy again.
After one of the hardest years of their lives, Brooks achieved a monumental milestone—ringing the bell to mark the end of his treatment! Though his journey continues with monthly clinic visits, food therapy, and check-ups, his family remains incredibly hopeful for the future.
How We Helped
Living in a rural area made the extensive travel for treatment a significant financial burden. Thanks to The National Children’s Cancer Society’s Transportation Assistance Fund, Brooks’ family found relief during their most challenging times. His parents also received our educational publication, The Other Side of the Mountain: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving Childhood Cancer. The emotional, educational, and financial support they received from their NCCS case manager helped ease their worries, allowing them to focus on what mattered most—Brooks’ health and recovery. “We are so grateful that burden was taken off our plate so that we could focus on Brooks’ treatments and getting him better. Thank you so much,” shared Ashley.
Today, Brooks is a shining example of strength and resilience, a true warrior who continues to inspire everyone around him.