Honored Heroes
HONORED HEROES
Oakley was a bright three-year-old when life for him and his family changed forever. It began with him complaining of leg pain that wouldn’t go away. His mom, Shayla, took him to the doctor in early 2023. After a few tests, things took a shocking turn as they were sent to a children’s hospital for more testing and bloodwork. That same day, the unexpected diagnosis arrived: leukemia.
“Our hearts dropped,” Shayla recalls. Within days, Oakley had a bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap, port placement, his first chemotherapy, and a diagnosis of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Oakley bravely faced challenge after challenge during his treatment. He’s endured dozens of chemotherapy infusions and spinal taps, weeks in the hospital—sometimes during birthdays and holidays—and even a broken leg that left him afraid to walk. “Through every poke, every spinal, every chemo drip, he showed nothing but courage, joy, and imagination,” Shayla shares.
Managing cancer care is a balancing act for parents like Oakley’s. Between sickness, treatment, schoolwork, insurance obstacles, and life, they’ve continued to show up. And through it all, Oakley just wants to be a kid, including going to school. “We agonized over whether starting school would be the right decision,” Shayla admits. But Oakley continues to live life with an unshakeable spirit and was able to enjoy kindergarten this past year—learning and laughing with friends.
Oakley’s community offered him strength, love, and support during his treatments and hospital stays. His family is committed to giving back to other patients, caregivers, and families, and they’re thankful The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) provides a way to do just that. That’s why they’ve made Big Climb an annual tradition and climb for Team Mighty Oak.
“We’ve watched Oakley push through pain and fatigue, and still find time to laugh at silly jokes, race cars down the hallway, and sneak snacks he wasn’t supposed to have,” Shayla shares. “He’s reminded us, over and over again, what true strength looks like.”
Oakley has since reached a major milestone. In June 2025, he underwent his final spinal tap, had his last round of chemotherapy, and had his port removed. “It feels surreal,” Shayla says. “That month was full of emotional moments, and while we’ll have regular follow-ups with our amazing oncology team, this marks the end of active treatment. Something we’ve dreamed about for so long.”
Oakley’s family is stepping into this next chapter with cautious optimism. And Oakley keeps pushing forward—as strong as the mighty oak of his name (and his Big Climb team). As Shayla reflects, “we hold onto the strength, the resilience, and the incredible spirit that carried him, and all of us, through.”
In 2016, Jan, her husband, Michael, and their son, Ethan, were living a full and active life. They ran a successful small business, and Jan, a passionate martial artist, was a third-degree black belt in Kenpo karate and taught a kickboxing class.
Things took an unexpected turn that February. Jan started experiencing persistent pain in her left shoulder blade that got progressively worse. She went to her doctor and then several others, only to be told her ribs were likely cracked, or her shoulder or back was injured. But the pain continued. Almost three months later, a sudden cough sent lightning-bolt pain through her legs, which affected her ability to walk.
This pain set off alarm bells: something more was going on. Finally, after various scans, Jan had a diagnosis—an aggressive, Stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma that had spread to her chest and spine.
Speed was critical: she was just days away from being completely paralyzed, and three weeks from losing her life. Her oncologist told her to pack a bag and come to the hospital immediately. She was admitted and began chemotherapy that very afternoon.
Through the pain, the scares, and the often-frustrating moments, Jan and Michael found a powerful anchor. A simple mantra emerged: “Mike and I would just look at each other and say, ‘Onward.’ And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said that in the last however many years,” Jan shares. It helped her through more than five months of intense chemotherapy, followed by high-dose inpatient chemo and nearly a month of radiation. After all that, she reached remission.
It wasn’t until almost a year after finishing treatment that Jan truly grasped the severity of her diagnosis. Today, Jan is a survivor. Her experience inspires her to help others. That’s why she’s participated in Big Climb since 2022, raising critical funds for research, supporting patients through their toughest moments, and bringing awareness to blood cancers.
Jan also joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as an advocate, using her powerful story to influence legislation that protects patients and expands access to quality care. “The more I advocated, the more I realized I want to make a difference,” she shares.
For Jan and her family, survivorship brings its own complexities—what they call “the adventure.” She channels her experience into her speaking engagements, hoping her words help others through their own cancer diagnosis and beyond.
