Meet Nolan, a brave acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) warrior. ​

At just five months old, Nolan began showing flu-like symptoms and would wake up screaming in pain, inconsolable. His parents took him to the emergency room, where bloodwork revealed that he had acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). 

Nolan was enrolled in a clinical trial and began treatment immediately. During his therapy, he spent six months in isolation, unable to play in the hospital’s playroom, make friends, or spend holidays with extended family. Despite these challenges, his mother, Kim, recalls, “He never once threw a tantrum. He was always happy and loving throughout treatment despite all of his side effects.”​

His treatment regimen included chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, multiple bone marrow aspirations with lumbar punctures, central line placement and removal, and a lip tie clip. These treatments, while necessary, led to numerous side effects such as rashes, fevers, neutropenia, fatigue, stomach issues, fluid overload, sepsis, and feeding difficulties. These complications made it challenging for Nolan to reach typical developmental milestones.​

“He learned to stand and crawl in a small hospital room,” Kim shared. “He didn’t get the infancy of most every other infant. We made the best of it. Too many milestones were met in a hospital setting.“​

Today, Nolan has been in remission for the past year. His resilience and cheerful spirit throughout his arduous journey make him a true Gold Ribbon Hero.

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