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[fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”2_5″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”bottomshadow” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”#ededed” bordersize=”3px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”3_5″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Hi!  My name is Anthony Wilmer; I am 14 years old and presently in the 9th grade at The School of the Arts.

On November 9th 2014, I was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  I had never heard of this disease in my life but I knew that I was really, really sick.  I was in the hospital for about one month.

I have always liked football and basketball, but after being diagnosed, I wasn’t able to play sports or workout at all.  I have a mediport which is surgically implanted under your skin which is used to draw blood and administer medications intravenously.  After being told that I wouldn’t be able to play sports or workout, I was very depressed and I really didn’t know how to spend my time.  So, I started playing video games continuously.  I mean, I have always played video games but now it has become an everday activity for me and I am very good at them.

Having leukemia has really made me appreciate life even though I take a lot of medicine every day.  I am happy that I am able to attend school again and I am able to go to the mall with my friends.  Even though I can’t play sports or workout, I am able to toss the football, dribble the basketball, do sit-ups, and walk or jog for light exercise.

I have to say that this has been a real experience both good and bad.  I have met some really nice people during this time that have helped my family and I.  IACKids has been there for us and have helped us in so many ways.  I remember my mom explaining to me what they do for sick children and their families – my first thought was “WOW”.

I am now doing outpatient clinic for my chemotherapy treatments and my hair has grown back!  Oh yeah, did I mention I lost my hair?  All of it!!  I am doing much better and feeling much better.  As of November 9th 2015, it will have been one year since my diagnosis.  For anyone having to go through this – my advice would be to never give up and always give your all!![/fusion_text][fusion_button link=”/meet-the-iackids” color=”default” size=”” stretch=”default” type=”” shape=”” target=”_self” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”up” animation_speed=”1″ animation_offset=”” alignment=”left” class=”” id=””]BACK TO MEET THE IACKIDS[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]