#RallyKid Carson's Fundraiser

Carson was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in May 2014. His symptoms began in March 2014, when we noticed a knot on the left side of his neck. He felt fine, but we took him to his pediatrician anyway. They did some lab work, which only showed elevated inflammatory markers. Over the next few weeks, we had to take Carson to the Doctor multiple times, and he was diagnosed with double ear infections each time. Carson’s symptoms began to change at the beginning of May. He was not himself; he had lost weight, was bruising easily, had constant belly pain, and a knot had popped up on the other side of his neck. At another doctor’s visit on May 12, 2014, the doctor took one look at him and knew something was very wrong. That day, approximately 2 hours after Carson had blood work drawn, we heard the words no parent ever wants to hear: “Carson has cancer.” We took him to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, and he was immediately admitted to the Aflac Cancer floor. He had a port inserted 2 days later and began chemotherapy that same day. Over the next 9 months, Carson had chemotherapy infusions weekly and also had to have lumbar punctures to check his spinal fluid every month. Carson also had to be admitted to the hospital multiple times for high-dose chemotherapy treatments. In late January 2015, he also underwent 8 rounds of cranial radiation at Emory. Carson remained on treatment, going for monthly chemotherapy infusions for the next 36 months, and had a lumbar puncture every third month. We are incredibly grateful that Carson responded so well to treatment! After a courageous battle lasting 1,202 days, Carson completed his treatment in August 2017. While he still goes for regular check-ups, we remain hopeful and thankful that he continues to be cancer-free. Today, Carson is thriving. He’s nearly 17 years old, a junior in high school, and full of life and passion. He plays on the school’s tennis team and is a true sports enthusiast. You can often find him in the tech room, calling football games on the school’s livestream —something he absolutely loves. He’s even hoping to expand into calling games for other sports too!

Your donation will contribute to the ongoing efforts to develop better treatments with fewer long-term side effects, and ultimately, find cures for young patients like Carson. Stand with us in this critical cause and help bring hope to children and families battling cancer.