Josey Hale was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ) on January 14, 2008. It was the last thing in the world we thought we would ever here the doctor tell us. He played football and loved every minute of it. After football season, we noticed that Josey was always tired and sleepy; he just didn't have any energy. He stopped playing football and continued to have bruises on his legs.

We knew something was wrong, so we took him to his doctor and she did all kinds of blood tests. She came in the room with tears and told us that she had talked to a good friend that was an Oncology doctor, who was waiting on us at the Bilo Children Charities Center. A shock went through my body. I just couldn't believe it! My heart was pounding so hard, my mind was racing and all I could think was it's got to be a mistake, not my sweet little boy. We hurried to get to the children's center, trying to put on a strong face for Josey even though he knew something was wrong.

Everyone at the center was so understanding, and very much caring. Dr. Stroud came in and checked Josey and said he was going to look at his lab work. Those few minutes felt like a life time. He came in and confirmed our worst fears, any parents worst nightmares. He told us that Josey had Leukemia and he wanted us to go into the hospital that day and he that he wanted to put a port in his chest, do a spinal tap, bone marrow and biopsy to determine what kind of Leukemia he had.

Our lives were changed forever, our world was turned upside down. Our bodies were going through the motion on the way to the hospital, but our minds couldn't do anything but pray for our precious little boy. The next day Josey went to surgery for everything the doctor told us he wanted to do. That evening they got the results back, the doctor told us Josey had the most common childhood ALL Leukemia.

Josey began chemo right away and responded within a few weeks. He went into remission and is now doing great. He is in maintenance stage and will have chemo and treatment through May 2011. We have learned so much through this. Our family is closer than ever, and the love and kindness from family and friends is wonderful. All the doctors and nurses has become a part of our family, we thank them for all their support. Most of all we thank God every day for all he has done for Josey and our family. Josey is now in third grade and is very happy and talks about helping other children who is sick and wanting one day to become an Oncology doctor.