This is Jesse's story as told by his mother, Amy. Thank you for allowing me to use this! <3

"On May 20th, 2005 Jesse came home for school saying he didn't feel well. The flu was going around school so my husband Tony and I didn't think too much of it. He had no fever and ate normally that evening. The next day he had flu like symptoms but otherwise acted fine. On Sunday 22nd, Jesse acted very weak and lethargic. Tony took him temp and it said 105.2. We immediatly got him undressed and into a lukewarm bath. We noticed as we were undressing him that he had red spots all over him. We thought at first it was the chicken pox. We were way wrong on that! After I cleaned Jesse off we helped him downstairs and called the rescue squad. Jesse said he just could move anymore. On the way to our locol ER his rash was instantly getting bigger and brighter and bruises started forming. Once in the ER they tell us that he could possibly have bacterial menigitis. But they didn't know for sure until they run more tests. The Dr. told us they need to life flight him to Columbus Childrens for futher testing. He could have menigitis, a staph infection or cancer. They then tell me that because of his condition when we brought him in, he may not make it over the next 48 hrs. You can just imagine what I am feeling right about now. They had a priest come in a give him his last rights and that completely broke my heart. They then had to put a ventilator on him because his breathing was slowing down. I was scheduled to ride in the helicopter but at the last minute I wasn't allowed. I learned later on that they didn't think he would make it and didn't want me in there by myself.

Once at Children's he was put in the PICU for futher testing. When we got there the Drs said that they believe it is some form of cancer, but not sure of what kind. But he also had a bacterial infection and that was what they were more concerned with. Because of the infection, that is what was "killing"him. They told us to go in and say our goodbyes incase he doesn't pull through. I never want to do that again. He was heavily sedated but I still went in and told him that I loved him very much and he can go and be with God. Surprisely, he started reacting to the antiboitics and they were working. The next day they did a Bone Marrow Biopsy and Spinal Tap and discovered that he had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. We were in the hospital for 5 weeks for treaments, fevers, three different rashes. You name it Jesse got it:) He became allergic to one of the chemo medications (he would have seizures and pancreatitis) so we decided to take our chances and not do that drug anymore.

He was 11 when diagnosed and he is now 13. He's a typical teenage boy. Looking at him you would never think that he is sick. He takes nightly chemo pills, and has had over 37 spinal taps. Because of his age he is considered high risk. And because we took away the one chemo he also has a higher risk of relapsing. But as of right now he is doing excellent. We just go to columbus for spinal taps and more chemo once a month now. He was of chemotherapy September 2008.

Exactly one month later on Oct. 23, 2008 during a routine clinic visit we found out Jesse's cancer had returned and it had spread. We did aggressive chemotherapy and 4 days of total body radiation to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. On March 17, 2009 Jesse received his new bone marrow. One of the side effects from the transplant is an infection called v.o.d (veno occlusive disease)..there is only one drug in the world to heal this disease and it did not work for Jesse. After being on the ventilator and dialysis and many more machines, Jesse's body became tired...he gave us the sign to let him go. One of the hardest things any parent has to do, but we did...we set him free. On May 21, 2009 Jesse became an Angel with God. He is now flying high with the angels. He is cancer free and pain free. Our lives will never be the same without him here, but he is no longer suffering. I know that he is always "here" with us and will never "leave" us. He is and forever will be my hero."