Lenny: Leukemia

Lenny loves soccer. He began playing at age 5. But when he was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2012, he had to stop participating in the game he adores.

Lenny’s family knew there was something wrong when he complained of serious stomach pains. The pain was so bad he would cry. He also had a fever. Blood work confirmed the diagnosis and he began treatment at Nemours.

Lenny missed all of the 2012-2013 school year because of his cancer. But he won a Make-a-Wish trip to go to the 2014 FIFA World Cup international soccer championship in Brazil. His favorite player is Neymar Junior, a star winger on the Brazilian national team. Many of his classmates and even his teachers didn’t really know what the World Cup was, but they watched it — because Lenny was going.

Lenny is now in remission, but still receives some monthly chemotherapy as a preventive measure.