Hendrik’s Story: Finding Joy Amidst the Struggles of Childhood Cancer

Hendrik had just celebrated his five-and-a-half birthday—a special tradition his family cherished—when their lives took an unexpected turn. Hendrik’s mom had noticed her energetic little boy was suddenly exhausted, bruising easily and complaining of leg pain. Despite her hopes that these changes were just the result of adjusting to kindergarten, her late-night Google search pointed to something far more serious: leukemia. The next morning, a visit to the doctor confirmed their worst fears—Hendrik had cancer.

For Hendrik and his family, life quickly became a whirlwind of hospital visits, treatments and uncertainty. But even during this difficult time, A Kid Again provided a beacon of hope. A Kid Again offers Adventures to families raising children with life-threatening conditions, giving them a chance to escape the daily struggles of treatment and focus on creating joyful memories together. Hendrik’s family found this on their first Adventure after his diagnosis…a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm.

Reflecting on that day, Hendrik’s mom shared, “This was our first event since Hendrik was diagnosed with leukemia, and we had so much fun. He was a trooper—he walked over 15,000 steps! I haven’t heard him laugh and have this much fun in a long time. He tried new foods, was brave and embraced new experiences. It was amazing!”

For families like Hendrik’s, September holds deep significance as it is both Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Leukemia Awareness Month. This time serves as a reminder of the countless children fighting these battles, and the need for support and awareness.

A Kid Again plays an essential role in these families’ lives, providing them with Adventures that allow them to step away from the challenges of treatment and embrace moments of joy, laughter and normalcy.

Hendrik’s Adventure to Knott’s Berry Farm wasn’t just a day of fun—it was a reminder that even during a cancer diagnosis, there is room for hope, happiness and healing.

This Adventure gave Hendrik and his family the chance to be A Kid Again.