Hoover Elementary School has rallied around a fourth grader who is fighting leukemia.
The journey for 10-year-old Carson Collins began when he was sent home from school with a fever one day in mid-April after not feeling well for about a month. His doctor became concerned about his pale skin and sent him to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent for tests.
“She said he looked like he could use a blood transfusion,” said Tawna Collins, Carson’s mother.
Specialists at Peyton Manning diagnosed Carson with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which affects the blood and bone marrow and is the most common type of childhood cancer. He’s currently undergoing chemotherapy.
“Other than [fatigue], he’s handling [treatment] really, really well so far,” Collins said.
Carson’s classmates have raised more than $2,000 for his family by selling bracelets at school. Hoover has also provided the family with gas and food cards. Carson is the fifth of sixth children, including twin 13-year-old girls.
“The whole school has really come together to support Carson,” said Hope Knecht, Carson’s teacher.
Carson began feeling unwell about a month before the diagnosis. When he became short of breath a couple of times playing with his siblings, Collins wondered if he had developed asthma.
At the doctor’s office, Carson tested negative for COVID-19 and strep throat.
“Thank God she said she was concerned about his skin color,” Collins said.
Carson spent almost two weeks in the hospital, where he received cards from his classmates.
“I explained to them that this is a dose of wisdom that they’re getting when these things happen in your life. You’re learning things that you didn’t know,” Knecht said.
Following the first round of chemo, Carson will have a bone marrow test to determine if the cancer is in remission. He has to continue treatments for the next 2 1/2 years.
Collins said Carson has the “hugest smile on his face” when he sees photos from his classmates and thanked the community for the support.
“They’re making this journey easier, if that’s possible,” she said.