Hometown: Columbus, OH
Age on Race Day: 13
Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Chase’s parents began to notice a change in his personality around 2 years old. Instead of the active, loving and incredibly mischievous little boy they knew, he would get sick quite frequently and became lethargic and listless.
A visit to the pediatrician sent Chase and his parents to urgent care for blood work. A few hours later they were rushed to Nationwide Children's Hospital Emergency Room and learned of Chase’s diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
“An oncology resident visited us late that night to give us more information, earning our trust with authenticity and care,” shares Chase’s mom Kelly. “That visit was our first glimpse of what we would experience again and again throughout Chase’s treatment: doctors, nurses and staff across Nationwide Children’s showed up for our family.”
Chase's three-year chemotherapy treatment was not typical. Though he faced many complications along the way, with his parents and care team by his side, Chase took every curveball in stride.
Ringing the Milestone Bell in 2019 to signal the end of his treatment, Chase is now thriving physically, mentally and socially.
“We had moments of intense fear and pain at Nationwide Children's, but Chase only has positive associations with the hospital. It seems counter-intuitive, but Chase actually enjoys coming in for check-ups,” Kelly says. “Thanks to the excellent staff at Nationwide Children’s, we were able to move through his treatment with optimism and resilience. We are so grateful to have this wonderful hospital and staff in our city.”
