Mile 26

When Cam was just eight years old, what seemed like a routine ear infection quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare. After antibiotics failed, a blood test revealed a diagnosis that turned his family’s world upside down: leukemia. In a moment filled with disbelief and heartbreak, his parents were suddenly thrust into a fight for their son’s life. They made the decision to seek treatment at Manning Family Children’s, just two hours from home—but a world of difference in support and care. From the very beginning, they were met with compassion. “You’re with us now,” Cam’s doctor assured him. “You’re in great hands.”​

​Cam’s journey was anything but easy. He endured months of chemotherapy and hospital stays, and ultimately, a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from a complete stranger named Ben—who would later become a close family friend. From cheering him on through the hospital window to celebrating each small victory, the community around Cam never let up. And in February 2025, after three years of courage and countless treatments, Cam rang the bell, marking the end of his cancer journey.​

​Through it all, the care and community at Manning Family Children’s helped Cam’s family hold onto hope. “The positive outlook of the staff here transformed me,” his father shared. “I can’t do down and out anymore.” Cam is now thriving—back to doing the things he loves, looking ahead to school dances, driving lessons, and one day, starting a family of his own. His story is one of resilience, love, and the life-changing impact of both expert care and human connection.