Five-year-old Kian is mesmerized by Mickey Mouse. From cartoons to clothes—and even a custom crocheted Mickey Mouse doll with a nasogastric (NG) tube just like his—Kian is Mickey’s biggest fan. He affectionately calls his doll, “Tubie Mickey” and for more than half of his life, Kian has bravely faced leukemia with Tubie Mickey by his side.
At age two, after being sick for two weeks with a persistent fever and stomach pain, Kian’s mom, Jordan—a nurse at the time—knew something was wrong. After alarming blood work results, the family was sent to their nearest children’s hospital for further evaluation. A week later, they received devastating news: Kian had leukemia. “When they told us, we were destroyed,” Jordan recalled. “We had the weekend to process the news, and then he started treatment on the following Monday.”
The beginning of treatment was tough. Kian faced complications, including a low white blood cell count, a bone marrow infection, and a mysterious rash all of which kept him hospitalized for two months. With the hospital an hour and a half away, the family spent much of that time apart. Jordan stayed by Kian’s side while his dad, Sander, cared for their three other boys at home. “You can’t be a mom the way you want to be a mom for all of your kids,” said Jordan.
Through every sedation for lumbar puncture chemotherapy, port surgery, NG tube procedure, blood transfusions, and poke, Tubie Mickey endured it all too. Kian’s love for Mickey started before his diagnosis and became a powerful source of comfort during treatment. Before Kian got sick, the family had booked a trip to go to a magical Florida resort. When cancer forced them to cancel, and he was given his prescription for a wish, his decision was clear: to re-book their family trip to Florida and meet his favourite mouse in person. And he did—five times!
On his wish trip, Kian proudly introduced Tubie Mickey to the real Mickey, and dined with his favourite characters. According to Jordan, Kian’s wish played an impactful role in his medical journey. “It was magical to see something so special for Kian come to life, especially while he was still in treatment,” Jordan shared. “If we had gone five or six years from now, when he was perfectly healthy, the impact wouldn’t have been the same.”
The trip gave Kian and his family something cancer had taken away: time to be together and feel normal again. “So many things were taken from us,” said Jordan. “His wish gave us the ability to make memories we couldn’t have made on our own. We got to be normal for the first time in a really long time.” For Kian, his wish wasn’t just a dream come true; it was a powerful part of not only his healing journey, but his family’s too.
Hear from Kian
About Wishes Are Medicine
Wishes Are Medicine. They are a vital part of a child’s treatment journey, helping restore strength, hope, and resilience when it’s needed most. Research shows that a prescribed wish can improve adherence to treatment, reduce emergency room visits, and deliver lasting health benefits. With the help of generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and partners across the country, we are committed to granting the wish of every eligible child.
