Pierson was nine years old when he began complaining of arm pain. Everyone thought it was growth pains, but it hurt so badly that his mother took him to an orthopedist. It was then that they learned Pierson had Ewing’s Sarcoma. He immediately began chemotherapy and had surgery to remove the humerus bone in his left arm. It was replaced with a cadaver bone and secured with 12 steel screws. Pierson remained strong throughout his fight with cancer and, once in remission, he returned to school and baseball.

Unfortunately, after three years, Pierson’s cancer returned and spread. He underwent surgery to remove four tumors from his brain. His initial prognosis was poor, but he is beating the odds! Pierson, aka JoJo, has maintained his positive attitude and love of smiling, dancing and joking. A true sports fan, he was named an honorary member of the Notre Dame football and cross country teams through a program called “Fighting Irish for Life” which pairs children battling life-threatening illnesses with Notre Dame athletes.

Every child who has been diagnosed with childhood cancer inspires us to Rally On to find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and, ultimately, cures. Please join us in the fight against childhood cancer by making a donation or setting up your own Rally fundraiser today.