Kno’lan is a little guy with a BIG personality. He will tell you how he feels, regardless. He has always been so happy, no matter what. He loves cars and trucks, also has a big love for blankets.

At 3 weeks of age, Kno’lan’s mom noticed his gums were splitting horizontally and filling with pus. By 4 months old, Kno’lan had received no relief from doctors, and his symptoms had only gotten worse: his gums had grown an inch thick with teeth coming in, and eating had become painful. His skin folds were gooey, smelled, and had holes. He had also developed GI issues and had choking spasms, which led to needing a G-tube for aspiration. If wasn’t until February of 2024, at 5 months old, when he finally got help with a mouth biopsy. Kno’lan was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).

He began chemotherapy, taking vinblastine and prednisone, then cytarabine, and clofarabine. He unfortunately relapsed in November of 2024 when another skin biopsy revealed LCH again. He went back on vinblastine and prednisone, and went on oral chemo medications (inhibitors) the entire first half of 2025.

A seizure scare in June 2025 brought Kno’lan back to the hospital, where new skin biopsies revealed his tumors had relapsed a third time. Feeling frustrated and lost, Kno’lan’s family traveled to Texas Children’s Hospital, an Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) Center of Excellence, to consult with an expert doctor. He is now following and advising Kno'lan's care.

Kno'lan was diagnosed with epilepsy in September 2025. He's had another seizure since then, and is currently on an IV chemo for 12 rounds. Despite it all, Kno'lan continues to smile and do well!

“I hope we can live “normally” at some point,” Kno’lan’s mom, Candace said. “He’s my hero because of his resilience. The amount of pain I’ve seen him in, in just a short 19 months of life, is indescribable. He’s never backed down. He’s shown bravery through every little and big thing. He’s still smiling and is still happy.”

Candace also wants others to know they are strong despite a childhood cancer diagnosis. “It’s very tough. But it’s nothing you can’t handle,” she said. “It’s gut-wrenching watching your child go through cancer, but know you are their voice and you are their hero. I failed to fill my cup, I highly recommend making sure you are taken care of too.”

Candace hopes to spread Kno’lan’s story forever. Foundations like Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) give her hope that a cure will be found. “There are so many fighting for children with cancer, and ALSF has their own story and it’s beautiful,” she said. Kno’lan’s older brother is enrolled in the SuperSib program with ALSF and receives packets to support him and his family through this experience.

“Children don’t deserve this type of life,” said Candace.

“Stay cool like Cheerios.” – Jr., Kno’lan’s 4-year-old brother

Information provided by Candace, Kno’lan’s mom
Updated December 2025