James was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer when he was 3 years old. After years of treatment in Kansas, he rang the Warrior Bell at age 7, signaling remission. Life felt normal again — until early 2024, when routine labs revealed something wasn’t right. A bone marrow test confirmed the relape his family feared.

That relapse brought James to Children’s Hospital Colorado, where specialists quickly recognized subtle signs of the disease that others might have missed. “If it had been any other doctors, they might not have caught it,” said his mom, Sabrina. “Specialists at Children’s Colorado saved my son’s life.”

James began a groundbreaking immunotherapy treatment, which uses his own immune system to fight cancer. The medicine, called blinatumomab, helps his T-cells (the body’s defenders) find and destroy the cancerous B-cells that cause leukemia. This therapy, proven in a global clinical trial led by Children’s Colorado, has transformed the standard of care for kids with B-cell ALL worldwide. The study showed a 61% reduction in relapse risk and significantly improved survival rates, while reducing the harsh side effects of traditional chemotherapy. “He wasn’t as sick on this medication,” Sabrina said. “It gave him the chance to just be James.”

And James is extraordinary. Despite months of inpatient care and ongoing maintenance treatments, he represented Wyoming at the national MathCounts competition in Washington, D.C., in May 2025. He dreams of becoming a scientist — or maybe an astronaut. When he’s not solving equations, James loves reading “Wings of Fire,” his favorite graphic novel series about dragons, and says he identifies with the character Cricket, a smart, curious dragon who loves to read…just like him.  He also enjoys playing guitar for other patients and caregivers. His impromptu concerts in hospital hallways are famous — featuring songs like “A Million Dreams” — lifting spirits and forging friendships. “It can get lonely down there,” James said. “But now I have friends I can do stuff with.”

James’s charm and quick mind have sparked connections beyond the hospital. During a break from treatment, he visited a Subway on the CU Anschutz campus, spotted a typo on the menu and struck up a friendship with the manager. He even drew a comic titled “The Best Subway Ever,” now proudly displayed at the shop. “He’s a lifetime customer — it’s on the house,” the manager said.

Children’s Colorado has become more than a hospital — it’s a second home. From nurses like Hazel to staff in the Patricia Crown Family T(w)een Zone who brought joy during long stays, the team has gone above and beyond.

James’s journey reflects the impact of advanced research and compassionate care. For Sabrina, the team at Children’s Colorado didn’t just treat her son — they stood beside him every step of the way. “They became part of our lives,” she said. “Because of them, James can keep planning for the future he deserves.”