When Alyssa Johnson brought her son, Grayson, to the ER, she thought it was just dehydration. But the diagnosis turned out to be far more daunting: kidney cancer.
“The diagnosis was scary. I kept feeling like they had the wrong chart, they had the wrong kid when they told us our 5-year-old little boy who just finished playing his first year of flag football and turned 5 years old had cancer,” Alyssa shares.
Further tests revealed a kidney tumor, prompting immediate surgery and chemotherapy. The news hit the family hard. “It was one of the scariest days of our family’s life, and my husband and I just sat and cried,” Alyssa recalls.
To inject some courage into the situation, a family friend, Jamie Przybyla, crafted a Spider-Man costume for Grayson to wear during treatments. “The costumes have made Grayson feel brave and strong,” Alyssa says. “He feels like he can accomplish anything.”
Yet, the costume’s impact went beyond Grayson. “Parents have reached out to me saying they love what our son is doing, and this is the type of stuff the world needs more of,” Alyssa reveals. “Grayson has given them strength.”
But the costume isn’t the sole source of strength. Despite his young age, Grayson’s resilience has uplifted his family and ignited their determination to fight. “My 5-year-old makes me feel brave, makes me feel like this journey doesn’t have to be scary and stressful all the time,” Alyssa expresses.
Grayson’s influence transcends the hospital walls. The Johnsons aspire to establish a nonprofit organization, delivering costumes to children battling serious health conditions. “Costumes can bring a sense of bravery to everyone and that’s our goal,” Alyssa explains.
As Grayson heals, the family is partnering with doctors for genetic testing, determined to uncover the cause of his cancer and prevent relapse. Their GoFundMe campaign and community fundraisers support this journey.