Wyatt Brooks A little American boy with Down syndrome, heart defect and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Date of Birth: 01.01.2016 Country: USA

1. Wyatt Brooks: A Child with Down Syndrome and Leukemia
2. Treatment and Hair Loss
3. Overcoming the Challenge
4. Down Syndrome and Support
5. Continuing Treatment
6. Community Support
7. Understanding Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Wyatt Brooks: A Child with Down Syndrome and Leukemia

Wyatt Brooks, a two-year-old from Dallas, Texas, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the blood-forming system, in June 2018. Wyatt also has Down syndrome and a heart defect, making his diagnosis particularly challenging for his adoptive family.

Treatment and Hair Loss

After beginning chemotherapy treatments, Wyatt began losing patches of hair on his pillow. His mother, Nicole, decided to shave his head rather than watch him gradually lose his hair. On June 12, Nicole shared her decision on Facebook: "We decided that cancer would not take our son's hair." The family took Wyatt to the hospital, where a nurse shaved his head while he sat on his mother's lap.

Overcoming the Challenge

Wyatt initially disliked getting haircuts, so his family planned carefully for this experience. Despite the tears, Nicole was heartened by Wyatt's reaction after his haircut. "He looked at me with his beautiful, big, almond-shaped brown eyes. I melted," she wrote. "When I showed him his new look, he smiled from ear to ear and gave me the 'beautiful' sign."

Down Syndrome and Support

Wyatt's Down syndrome, a genetic condition that causes intellectual and developmental delays, has not prevented him from learning American Sign Language. Nicole and her husband, Colin, have two other daughters and adopted Wyatt shortly after he was born. "We have worked hard to make sure everyone sees our son as a typical child," Nicole said.

Continuing Treatment

Wyatt still has more chemotherapy treatments to undergo to complete the first 30-day phase of his treatment. If all goes well, he may be home by early July. He will require additional chemotherapy for at least the next three years, both at home and in the hospital.

Community Support

Wyatt has received outpouring of support from strangers around the world. Well-wishers have sent him letters from as far away as Australia. Wyatt's preschool even organized a "hat party" to show him how much he is loved. Nicole and Colin have created a Facebook page called "Wyatt's World" to share updates on his condition and raise awareness about ALL. A friend of the family established a GoFundMe page to help cover Wyatt's medical expenses.

Understanding Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

ALL is a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells in the body. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, along with red blood cells and platelets. In ALL, immature white blood cells, known as lymphoblasts or blast cells, grow and divide uncontrollably in the bone marrow. These dividing cells crowd out the healthy blood cells, preventing the bone marrow from producing enough healthy red blood cells and platelets. As a result, symptoms such as anemia and easy bruising may occur. ALL is more common in boys than girls and has a relapse rate of 35-40%.