Meet Ja’khari – Leukemia Warrior
“The NCCS is so amazing for stepping in at the right time to provide support so that I could get my son to his treatment and help with medical expenses. I don’t know what I would have done if NCCS was not an organization. Our case manager was so understanding and patient. Thank you for helping to relieve the load of so many patients!”
Ja’khari’s Journey
Ja’khari was only a year old when his mother received the news that no parent is ever prepared to hear: “Your child has cancer.” The diagnosis turned their world upside down, but amidst the uncertainty and fear, they found strength in their family and support from The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS).
Ja’khari was just like any other baby – happy, healthy, and eager to learn about the world around him. With four other siblings, their family felt whole. Just months after his first birthday, Ja’khari’s health took a turn. It began with a persistent lump and unrelenting fatigue. After a visit with their pediatrician, Ja’khari endured extensive testing and a biopsy to find what was making him feel this way. When his mother, Naquesha, received the news that her baby boy was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, her world came to a screeching halt.
Ja’khari needed to begin his lifesaving treatment immediately, and his mother faced the heart-wrenching task of trying to care for her son while also looking after her other children. As a single mother, she felt completely overwhelmed and defeated. Thankfully, the children’s grandfather stepped in to help, taking care of Ja’khari’s siblings and keeping some semblance of normalcy for the kids while their baby brother underwent treatment.
Ja’khari’s treatment was anything but easy. He underwent a transplant and faced horrible complications, including severe internal bleeding and blood clots. He spent over a month in the hospital recovering, a time marked by constant worry and fear for his family of what each day could bring. While his siblings’ days were filled with school and activities, Ja’khari’s were filled with inpatient stays, specialist appointments, and sickening side effects from treatment.
As the months passed, Ja’khari began to look and feel better, bringing an overwhelming sense of relief to his mother. She clung to the idea of taking things day by day, and that if Ja’khari was okay, she was going to be okay. Slowly, but surely, the frequency of his appointments began to lessen. He was getting stronger, healthier, and responding incredibly well to treatment.
However, nearly two years after his initial diagnosis, when they thought they could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, Ja’khari’s doctors discovered a mass on his heart. The news was a crushing blow, but his mother and care team remained vigilant, monitoring the mass closely.
How We Helped
Throughout this harrowing journey, the NCCS provided a lifeline for Ja’khari’s family. They received immediate support through the Transportation Assistance Fund and the Emergency Assistance Fund, easing some of the pressing financial burdens they faced. Their case manager provided compassionate emotional support to Naquesha, easing her worries with each conversation. “I’m so grateful there’s a system in place like The National Children’s Cancer Society to help families like myself. The NCCS is so amazing for stepping in at the right time to provide support so that I could get my son to his treatment and help with medical expenses. I don’t know what I would have done if NCCS was not an organization. Our case manager was so understanding and patient. Thank you for helping to relieve the load of so many patients!”
Ja’khari’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, the strength of family, and the invaluable support of organizations like the NCCS. His journey reminds us that even in the darkest times, there is always hope, and with the right support, we can overcome anything.
