Childhood cancer survivor Anthony Paoletti, then 7, served as race starter for the 2024 Run to Fight Children’s Cancer.
Submitted photo/Martha Castro
Anthony Paoletti relaxes at home in Glendale.
Submitted photo/Martha Castro
By Anthony Paoletti | Glendale
When I was 3 ½ years old, I started to get stomach sick, and I had a mild fever. At first, my parents thought I had COVID-19. My mom took me to the doctor, who thought it was a viral infection. A few days later, I started getting bruises around my body. Mom called the doctor, and he said we should go to the hospital. After many tests, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia — the most common childhood cancer.
It was September 2020, and because of COVID, none of my family or friends could visit me in the hospital. After that, it took a long time to get better. I went to the hospital a lot and I could not go to school or see my friends.
The hardest part of my journey was thinking that I wouldn’t survive. It’s hard for my parents to hear this now, because I was so young at the time. But when I felt scared, my mom helped me by being by my side. My mom helps me feel safe.
When I couldn’t go to the park or play with friends, I got a playset, and my dad and brothers built it all on their own. I was so happy to play on a playground again. Children’s Cancer Network also helped me forget about being worried by having fun, especially at camp.
In 2023, the doctor said I was done with treatment, and I got to ring the bell, except my clinic didn’t have a real bell because it’s small. So, my parents bought a bell, hung it up and I got to ring it with my mom, dad, nurses and doctors. I was so happy to be done but also happy that after me, other kids at my clinic could celebrate by ringing a real bell!
Being a cancer survivor makes me feel good because I was brave. I know what it feels like to be sick, I know what other kids are feeling and I want to help them. I want other kids to be brave and to always have hope.
I want parents to not be scared because your kids are stronger than you think.
Children’s Cancer Network helped me in the hard spots I was in by helping me have fun at events like camp, where I could meet friends with cancer like me. I want other kids who have cancer to know they are not alone. CCN also helps parents and siblings in many ways.
I was so excited last year to be the race starter for Children’s Cancer Network’s Run to Fight Children’s Cancer. The best part of the day was honking the horn to start the race. I felt proud to be the race starter. I also walked around the pond with my family in the Hero Walk. My Tata, nana, cousins, uncles, friends and family were all there and made it extra special!
I’m happy to be back in school again. I love math, reading, swinging on my swing set, playing sports, watching “Full House” and walks to the park with my family and my dog, Franklin.
I played flag football for the first time this year and I was the quarterback. It’s hard being a quarterback because there’s a lot of pressure, but I love it. My favorite part is throwing a touchdown pass. I also practice playing soccer with my coach, Josh.
When I grow up, I want to be an inventor because I want to create inventions to help people.
I’m looking forward to attending this year’s Run to Fight Children’s Cancer. I hope people come to the event to help kids with cancer. You can run or walk with your whole family. It’s fun, and you can help kids and their families.
Editor’s note: Anthony Paoletti, 8, is a cancer survivor who was race starter at the 2024 Run to Fight Children’s Cancer benefiting Children’s Cancer Network, a Chandler-based nonprofit that supports children and families statewide. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
