The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020 was an unimaginable time. But for Courtney Addison, she was facing something even more unthinkable when she was told, “Your child has cancer.”
Courtney’s vibrant, 3-year-old son, Cayden, had been experiencing leg pain and developed an unusual limp. The pain progressed, and his typically ravenous appetite diminished. After multiple trips to the doctor and a slew of tests, Cayden was diagnosed with a rare, high-risk form of blood cancer called Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). From that moment forward, Courtney was on a mission.
Committed to supporting Cayden through something no child should have to endure — numerous surgeries, a slew of treatments, including aggressive chemotherapy, and countless overnight hospital stays — she set out to learn everything she could about blood cancer. Shortly after his diagnosis, Courtney connected with Blood Cancer United, formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, for disease and treatment information and support.
Eventually, she became an ambassador for the organization’s Dare To Dream Project, dedicating herself to helping accelerate cancer treatments and policies that could one day mean that other kids and their families wouldn’t have to face a blood cancer diagnosis.
Bone marrow donor registries
Cayden completed treatment in April 2022 but relapsed the following year. He underwent CAR T-cell therapy. Although Cayden responded well to treatment, he remains in need of a bone marrow transplant and is waiting for a donor. Courtney has exhausted options within her community and beyond, desperately searching for a match. Because African American and Black individuals are significantly underrepresented in bone marrow donor registries, it’s more difficult for patients like Cayden to find compatible matches for transplants.
Cayden just turned 9 and recently started third grade. He is active and enjoys all the things a kid his age should be doing. While they are living their lives to the fullest, Courtney continues to tirelessly help other families and search for a match for Cayden.
“You never think about cancer happening to you and your family,” Courtney said. “I will continue to fight not only for Cayden but also for the kids and families affected by a cancer diagnosis, and I continue to educate people about how important it is to consider registering to be a donor. It saves lives.”
