A 6-year-old Missouri boy battling terminal cancer served as captain of a local football team last weekend, and scored a touchdown with the help of some teammates.
When he was just 3 years old, doctors diagnosed Liam Myrick with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma. Since then, Liam has undergone 14 rounds of intravenous chemotherapy, two bone marrow transplants, 20 rounds of radiation, six rounds of oral chemotherapy and nine major surgeries, Shawna Myrick, his mother, told FoxNews.com.
“His cancer is growing again and there’s not a lot that they can do because he has fluid around his heart, and the one kidney he has left is starting to fail as well as his liver,” Shawna told FoxNews.com, adding that through it all Liam “has always had that smile.”
But last weekend the Myrick family, which includes dad Greg and sisters Natasha and Natalie, got to watch Liam act like a typical boy as he took to the football field to serve as captain for the Mountain Grove Mighty Mite football team.
Mighty Mite coach Jerry Elliot called the Myrick family ahead of the game and said the team would like to honor Liam for the day if he was up for it. Liam, who watches football with his family and supports the local high school team, said yes.
Liam ran through the team banner and called the coin toss, but the highlight for the family was watching Liam score his first touchdown from the 15-yard line.
“It’s probably one of the coolest memories we’ve had,” Shawna said. “He’s our only boy, so for him to do something like this, it was very cool.”
Liam came off the field excited after reaching the end zone, but he needed medicine because he was in pain. Doctors haven’t given Liam very much time, and he doesn’t have as much energy as he used to.
“We’re just trying to make each day what we can at this point,” Shawna said, adding he has more bad times than good lately.
The family has set up a fundraising account to help offset costs for hospice and other medical supplies Liam will soon need.
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