A 14-year-old Dallas boy battling leukemia had a special Palm Sunday celebration while in remission. Pike Petersen, 14, was diagnosed with the disease and underwent a bone marrow transplant 100 days ago.
To his delight, friends and family gathered at his hospital to celebrate him on Saturday, March 23rd. It meant the world to his parents.
Petersen is still recovering. His family learned Saturday morning that his test results were negative for leukemia. They had hoped that he would be able to leave the hospital and attend church on Saturday, March 24th, but that was not possible. So they brought the church to him a day early.
Members of Park City Baptist Church gathered Saturday at Medical City Children’s Hospital for Palm Sunday services. Petersen met her loved ones a few weeks later.
The boy’s father said Peterson was overjoyed. “There are a lot of people who don’t get to this stage and have to say goodbye to their children. And we keep that in mind. We’re not ready to give up yet and Pike Same. So we just keep on fighting,” Paul Petersen said, FOX 4 reported.
Pike Petersen urges thousands to register as potential blood stem cell donors
Last year, this North Texas teenager inspired thousands of people to register as potential blood stem cell donors. He found the person who turned out to be near his home – his own brother. This was surprising because most blood cancer patients find their match among strangers. In fact, 6 out of 10 blood cancer patients are unable to find a match at all. The main reason for this is that fewer people register as donors.
Petersen was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia when he was just 13 years old. His younger brother, Phillip Petersen, 21, a senior at Oklahoma State University, was able to save him.
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