Gunner
Hometown: Grove City, OH
Diagnosis: Leukemia
Age on Race Day: 6
The day after Gunner’s 6th birthday, instead of getting ready for his long-anticipated birthday party, his parents brought him to his pediatrician when he broke out in a rash and unexplained bruising. After a blood test indicated abnormal results, he was sent to Nationwide Children's Hospital. Further testing upon arrival revealed the worst, Gunner had leukemia.
Doctors sprang into action and Gunner began an intense treatment plan which included biopsies, surgery, blood transfusions, and chemotherapy.
“Having a child with cancer is never part of the plan when you become a parent,” shares Gunner’s mom, Stephanie. “But the team at Nationwide Children’s who cares for him has been so amazing.”
Gunner has since completed the second phase of his treatment plan, which includes weekly chemotherapy infusions, spinal taps, and many different types of medication. Due to the effects of his chemotherapy treatment, he has developed neuropathy, a weakness, numbness, and pain from nerve damage. Gunner has begun physical therapy to help with the neuropathy and get him back to playing his favorite sport, soccer, when he’s ready.
“Although he’s getting stronger daily it’s hard on him to not be able to do what he once did,” Stephanie says of Gunner’s neuropathy. “He’s never given up though and continues to amaze us daily with his strength and courage.”
Though he is missing hockey, his friends, and school, Gunner is now in the last phase of treatment and looking forward to slowly returning to his active life.
