Aiden’s fight against MPAL Leukemia

Hello everyone, I’m Kathryn, Aiden’s aunt and I want to start by thanking you for coming to this page. On August 15th my nephew Aiden Godsil was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of Leukemia. He is among 2-3% of children who have Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia (MPAL), which means he has a combination of ALL and AML Leukemia. Aiden has also been diagnosed as being Hypodiploid. Being Hypodiploid is a mutation of the chromosomes. This set of circumstances makes his diagnosis much more complex to treat and much more difficult to overcome. Pediatric Leukemia normally requires chemotherapy to kill the cancer. Unfortunately, the rarity of Aiden’s diagnosis requires him to undergo chemotherapy and radiation followed by a full bone marrow transplant, which has its own set of risks. His recovery program will be longer and more grueling than less severe forms of this cancer.

This has been devastating for Kenny, Lissette, Aiden and Isabella, as well as for all of us who know and love them. The stress this has caused, both emotional and monetary, is hard to comprehend if you’re not witnessing it firsthand. As his sister, I am heartbroken as I watch them navigate the demands being made upon them. Aiden is scared but strong. He has been so brave through the operations, spinal taps, bone marrow biopsies, and rounds of chemotherapy. There are good days and bad, but he has been as courageous and upbeat as a twelve-year-old facing so many challenges can be.

Prior to his diagnosis Aiden was a full-time outdoor kid, spending his time playing on a soccer travel team, fishing with his friends, and riding bikes. Currently, he is unable to attend school due to his treatment program and his being immunocompromised. He now keeps in touch with his friends and cousins by playing Xbox games online. Quiet and relaxed by nature, Aiden is universally liked. Never interested in being center stage, he can be found laughing and enjoying life in a natural and peaceful way. His dry sense of humor catches you off guard and displays an intelligence that belies his age. An adult spending time with him or observing his behavior from afar is left with the impression that Aiden is just a nice little kid. He’s a wonderful little human being, going through a very difficult time.

The most pressing issue is Aiden’s path through the end of 2023 and beyond. He is currently beginning his second round of chemotherapy as unfortunately his first did not result in his remission. Once in remission he can begin preparing for a bone marrow transplant. These preparations will force him to remain in hospital isolation for a month or more as his immune system will be unable to fight off infection. Doctors are hoping this will be from November through the New Year. During these months only Kenny and Lissette will be allowed to see him, and they will want to be by his bedside at all times. Because Kenny runs his own business, we have opened this GoFundMe page to help offset the personal and medical expenses that his family is incurring while they concentrate their energy and efforts on Aiden’s recovery.

We never expect these things to happen to us. We live under the belief that we are exempt from these forms of injury. Experiences such as these make us realize just how fragile our worlds are, just how fast our realities can collapse, and the full extent of how much help is needed for people who experience these catastrophic family emergencies. To know this family is to love them. We appreciate any help you give them as it will relieve them of the everyday stresses that hinder us from being present in the lives of our children when they most need us.

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