Finnegan Walters, Age 6

Pre-B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Pre-B-Cell ALL)

In February 2020, our family moved from South Carolina to Guam for Finnegan's dad's military job. His sister, Kira, stayed in South Carolina to finish high school, while his brother, Colin, started high school in Guam. Three-year-old Finnegan stayed home with Mom, spending days at the beach.

Soon after, COVID-19 shut everything down. Since the boys' physicals were current, we avoided doctor visits. In early April, Mom noticed tiny red spots on Finnegan's body, then a limp, bruises, and a low fever. The doctor sent us to the ER, where bloodwork was ordered. When results came in, the doctor asked Dad to come-something not allowed under COVID rules-so we knew it was serious.

That night, doctors said they suspected cancer. Finnegan was moved to the ICU, given the last bag of platelets at the hospital, and approved for emergency transfer. Less than 24 hours later, we left Guam. Finnegan and Mom rode by ambulance to the military airport, waved off by firefighters spraying hoses in farewell. Our family boarded an Air Force plane headed to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu.

After landing, strict COVID protocols separated us again-Mom and Finnegan went to the hospital while Dad and Colin stayed at a hotel. At Tripler, kind nurses confirmed the diagnosis: Pre-B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Finnegan spent over three weeks in the hospital while Mom and Dad took turns staying with him and caring for Colin.

During treatment, Finnegan lost the ability to walk, so we played games to help him stand and rebuild strength. Once discharged, we lived in a hotel while friends in Guam repacked and shipped our belongings. Dad's command transferred him to Hawaii so we could stay together. After weeks of effort, Finnegan finally walked again-a day we'll never forget.

Three months later, we moved into base housing. Colin's school in Hawaii was still online, so he went to live with grandparents in Maine for in-person classes. Kira started college in Alaska, leaving Mom, Dad, and Finnegan in Hawaii-isolated but together.

Despite the challenges, Finnegan stayed strong. Treatment was tough with hospitalizations and chemotherapy holds, but he always smiled and loved seeing his nurses-it was his only time out of the house. From home, we could see the hospital on the hillside just fifteen minutes away.

After a year of treatment in Hawaii, we transferred back to the mainland in May 2021. Once school ended, Colin came home, and Finnegan was thrilled to be reunited with his brother. His treatment continued in Connecticut, now in maintenance with monthly appointments. In June 2022, Finnegan completed treatment.

Today, Finnegan is six years old and thriving. He still has monthly checkups and will have regular labs for five years. He started kindergarten this year and loves being around kids again.

Finnegan's painting shows his Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World in October 2022. The castle stands tall, surrounded by fireworks, balloons, a roller coaster, merry-go-round, monorail, and even dinosaurs-because in Finnegan's world, magic and imagination belong together.

Finnegan reminds everyone to be grateful. Our family plays "The Grateful Game," where we share something-big or small-we're thankful for. Even in the hardest times, Finnegan helped us find something to be grateful for.