Leone Parks wore his light-up Spiderman shoes as a reminder of his favorite superhero.
He also wore a cape – a reminder that he is a hero for other kids struggling with pediatric cancer.
“It’s fun for them to see a different side of the hospital,” said Laurel Parks, Leone’s grandmother. “To see that the hospital is more than appointments.”
The 4-year-old honorary captain at Dribble for the Cure was first brought to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital for medical treatment in February 2016. Doctors were unsure what was causing his bruising, initially thinking that it was a case of parental abuse.
The causes of the bruises turned out to be leukemia and he then was transferred – along with his three siblings – into the custody of his grandparents, Roger and Laurel Parks.
“All the kids love their parents, but the parents don’t have all their things together right now,” Roger Parks said. “I really don’t know how it’s going to work out, but we’re just trying to do the best we can.”
Leone was put on a four-year treatment plan, which is set to last until May 2020. Though he is stable now, he spent six weeks in the intensive care unit after catching two different types of the flu in the spring.
Leone’s grandfather lived with him at the hospital, holding the child in his lap for the “scary” parts of treatment. The 4-year-old was 20 pounds lighter when he returned to his family.