A Maine Boy’s Resilient Journey Battling Leukemia

Aiden's GoFundMe page

Aiden, an 8-year-old Maine boy, from Readfield Elementary School who was diagnosed with leukemia just days after his birthday. His mother, Michelle, reached out to me and I was lucky enough to meet her and Aiden and witness there story of resilience, bravery, and love.

Kindly consider visiting Aiden's GoFundMe page and contributing towards their goal of raising $5,000 to support his family during this challenging time.

Michelle opened up to me and told me,

"Aiden asked me to share his story with others. In his own words, he told me he wanted others to know “this isn’t easy and we need to make sure this doesn’t happen to other kids.” We are 8 months into it, so I feel like I can at least put what’s happened into actual words."

Aiden has undergone multiple surgeries, chemo treatments, and has even lost the ability to walk at one point. Aiden's teacher, Mary Conlon, created a GoFundMe page to help support Aiden and his family financially and is planning on shaving her head in support.

Do you remember when you got for your 8th birthday? I remember getting Barbie dolls and play make up. But I can't imagine receiving the news that Aiden got just after celebrating his day.

Unfortunately at that time, they had no answer, but noticed his fingernail beds were blue. They did blood work and Mom got a call around 7:45pm that night.

It was the Doctor calling to let them know she needed to take Aiden to the Portland hospital, not a local hospital but to go straight to Barbara Bush Hospital.

The Doctors words were,

“He may have cancer.  Go now."

Michelle's heart dropped because its not often that you hear something as terrifying as that. She told me she was frozen on her porch with a sick kid on the couch and a sleeping baby in the crib.

Michelle went on to say,

"I called my husband who was on his way home, my mother-in-law to arrange childcare for the baby, and then I called my mom- to cry and panic.   From there it was a blur of driving, people in scrubs, and tears.  My husband and I stayed with Aiden for 2 weeks in the hospital.  After 6 transfusions, spinal taps, multiple surgeries and chemo, Aiden was discharged.  Two weeks later he was taken by helicopter to Portland with infections in his heart and lungs.  He lost the ability to walk and was hospitalized for 4 more weeks."

Cancer has affected not only Aiden but also his family's financial situation, with gas, food, and non-insurance covered therapies being their biggest expenses. Despite the hardships, Aiden remains resilient and determined to beat cancer.

After multiple transfusions, chemo, antibiotics, and therapy, Aiden was discharged with a walker and wheelchair. He underwent more chemo, surgery, and hospital stays. One round of chemo caused neurotoxicity, making one of his eyes spasm. Aiden lost all of his hair before his brother's birthday party. Despite the hardships, Aiden remains resilient and determined to beat cancer. His name, meaning "little fire," suits his fighting spirit.