As a typical seven-year-old boy, Tyson is full of energy, loves to talk and can’t tell you enough about his school and friends. But it’s what makes him not so typical that also makes him a fighter.

After enduring weeks of cold and flu symptoms, Tyson was taken to the hospital dehydrated, weak and in need of answers. While each doctor had their own diagnosis, it was a mother’s intuition that gave Tyson and his family the answers they had been searching for.

“I told them they needed to do a MRI because I just knew something bigger had to be going on,” explains Liz, Tyson’s mom.

It was then that an MRI found a mass in his brain which resulted in surgery immediately and the beginning of a long fight. Tyson was ultimately diagnosed with medulloblastoma; a cancerous tumor between the brain stem and cerebellum.

“It’s hard to describe what you feel when the doctors tell you, ‘Your child has cancer,” Liz continues. “It’s like you’re in a tunnel and everyone is talking, but you can’t hear them.”

Following his surgery, Tyson put on a brave face and geared up for his treatments. However, it was his fear of the needles that made Liz realize that she could help her son.

“Tyson was going to have his blood tested, but was scared to get poked,” Liz added. “I thought coming into NCBB and having him watch me ‘get poked’ would calm him down and make him realize it’s not so bad.”

Even though she was a blood donor prior to her child’s illness, Liz can now see the lifesaving difference each donation makes and asks everyone to, “Donate often.” 

Today, Tyson has received numerous blood products, including three blood transfusions. He continues to fight and looks forward to the end of his treatments. Still, this second grader has big plans for the future and hopes to one day be a cancer doctor and help kids just like him.

Although young, Tyson understands the gifts of life he has been given by blood donors and has simple words to share with his lifesavers; “Thanks for making me live.”