Dalton’s Fight Against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

On May 1st, our world turned upside down when our son Dalton came to us about a lump in his thigh. At first, we thought it might be something minor — but it was painful at times, and we knew it needed to be checked.

We took him to his pediatrician on May 5th, which led to X-rays and an MRI just two days later. The results were alarming — a large tumor suspected to be cancerous. We were immediately referred to an oncologist in St. Louis. On May 23rd, Dalton was evaluated, and on June 4th, he underwent a biopsy.

Then came June 6th — the day we received news no parent ever wants to hear. Our sweet, smart, brave 11-year-old son was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a rare cancer of the lymphatic system. It was devastating. We are scared, heartbroken, and angry, but we are holding on tightly to hope.

Despite how rare this type of cancer is in children, we are grateful to know that Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is highly treatable and often curable, especially with prompt and aggressive care. Dalton’s treatment plan will begin with chemotherapy, and we’ll know more after additional tests.

On June 9th, we met with the oncology team in St. Louis that will be overseeing Dalton’s care. This coming Friday, June 13th, he will undergo a PET and CT scan to help determine whether the cancer has spread and to identify the stage. He may also need a second biopsy to better classify the subtype of the lymphoma.

We are doing everything in our power to stay strong and focused on what matters most — Dalton’s healing. Through all of this, both of his parents are still working to keep some sense of normalcy and financial stability. But between time off work, travel, meals, hospital stays, and medical costs, the expenses are already growing.

We’re asking for help — not because it’s easy, but because we know we can’t do this alone. Your donation, your prayers, your shares — they all mean the world to us.

Dalton is a fighter. He’s shown more courage than we ever imagined an 11-year-old could. Please consider standing with him as he takes on this battle.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting our family in this incredibly difficult time.

#DaltonStrong