Rhett was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma on August 24, 2022 at the height of his summer football training camp and about to start his freshman year at Don Bosco Prep. Rhett had been practicing and working out all summer at the highest level and feeling his best. As a starting offensive lineman and captain of his freshman football team, he was looking forward to the start of the 2022 school year and season. Things were looking pretty great! After a check up for a swollen lymph node on his neck and antibiotics not making a noticeable difference, we were referred to an ENT who promptly sent us for a biopsy. We had no idea that we would be going from football scrimmages to chemo treatments overnight!

We have been blessed to be introduced to Rhett's amazing doctor Justine Kahn, M.D. at Columbia University Medical Center. She not only helped us to understand and navigate this life changing journey with Hodgkins but she made us feel comforted and calm in a time when things seemed chaotic and very scary.

Rhett handled his treatments with fierce determination to get better, like he does with football! His strength, courage and positive attitude got him thru the next few months that followed. Rhett completed his chemotherapy treatments on October 26, 2022. Rhett then underwent ten Proton Radiation Therapy treatments by December 1st! Finally, on Jan 4th 2023 Rhett's PET scan confirmed that the past months of treatments had worked. We were able to remove his port on Jan 7th 2023. Like the true competitor he is, Rhett awoke from surgery with a very determined message for his head football coach! He has been in the weight room training ever since! We are looking forward to getting back into normal life and continuing with our monthly visits to Columbia! Lucky for us Hodgkins is a very treatable and curable type of cancer and Rhett's prognosis is great. He has continued to see no evidence of recurrence in his latest scans and plans to "Ring the Bell" at Columbia on May 10th!

Many of the friends we made during Rhett’s treatments will continue on their journey's much longer than us. Hope & Heroes provides access to alternative medicine approaches like massage therapy, acupuncture, and nutritionists. They have a wonderful art therapy instructor, educational support and therapists to help pass the time on long treatments days. Their caring family approach along with these services sets them apart! We want to raise awareness about the effects of childhood cancer and ask that you consider making a donation to this amazing organization.

Hope & Heroes creates a treatment experience that gives patients their best chance to overcome their disease without missing out on their childhoods. They also fund some of the world’s most advanced research, which benefits the children in their care and other children around the world.

We truly can’t thank each and everyone one of you enough for your loving support!

#Rhettstrong

With Gratitude & Love,

Rhett, Paige & Charlie Morris