Shakir’s Fight: A Brave Boy Battling Leukemia for a Second Time
“I’m 11 years old. I haven’t been going to school for a long time because I’m in the hospital. I’m here because I’m fighting leukemia. I thought the nightmare was over, but the disease has returned. It’s very, very hard for me.
For me, home now means a hospital, IVs, and a bed. My parents sold everything they had to save me. Every day I see their tears, and my heart breaks because I know it’s not their fault, but mine.
I want to be healthy and not be afraid of another day. I want to go home, to my real home, and to school. I want Mom and Dad to be happy again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help.”
These are the words of our son, Shakir—a boy whose courage surpasses his years, a child who has endured more than most adults could imagine. Shakir is just 10 years old. At his age, children live carefree lives, going to school, playing with friends, dreaming, and planning for the future. But Shakir’s childhood has been stolen by pain, fear, and the relentless struggle against leukemia.
Three years ago, in 2022, we received a diagnosis that changed everything: acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Shakir suddenly lost strength; bruises appeared on his tiny body, fevers became frequent, and he grew weaker by the day. In an instant, our family’s world was turned upside down. The word “leukemia” plunged us into a nightmare we could never have imagined.
The next two years were a relentless fight for survival. Shakir endured countless IVs, blood draws, chemotherapy sessions, painkillers, sleepless nights, and the fear that we might lose him. Each day was a battle, and each day survived was a triumph. The cost of his treatment reached around $20,000—a sum far beyond our means. We sold everything we had, borrowed from friends and family, and relied on the kindness of strangers to keep him alive. Every penny, every gesture, every word of encouragement became a lifeline in the darkest days of our lives.
When Shakir reached remission, we breathed a collective sigh of relief, thanking God that our son had survived. For a moment, hope returned. We imagined a life where he could play, laugh, and live like other children. But our happiness was tragically short-lived. Seven months later, the nightmare returned: the leukemia relapsed.
The news was devastating. Follow-up tests confirmed a recurrence, and once again, tears, fear, and despair overwhelmed our hearts. Shakir’s life hangs in the balance. He must undergo another round of intense chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. This is his only chance to survive. Without it, we will lose our son.
The cost of the surgery and subsequent treatment exceeds $80,000—a sum we cannot possibly afford. We have already given everything we have, yet we cannot stop fighting. Every moment is precious, every day matters, and every delay could be fatal.
Shakir is a boy full of gratitude and love. Despite everything he has endured, he appreciates every gesture of support, every word of kindness, and every effort made on his behalf. His trust, courage, and resilience inspire us to fight harder each day. He dreams of returning to school, seeing his friends, and simply being a child again—a life that should be normal for every boy his age.
We are reaching out with hope in our hearts. We are asking for help from everyone who can offer even the smallest support. Every donation is a breath of hope for Shakir. Every share of his story spreads awareness and brings us closer to saving his life. Every act of kindness fuels our strength and determination to continue this battle.
As parents, it is impossible to describe the pain of watching our child endure this suffering. We grit our teeth and smile through tears so he will not worry. We live each day with hope, clinging to the belief that together, with the help of compassionate people, we can give him the chance to overcome this disease.
Shakir’s fight is urgent. Time is running out, and his life depends on immediate treatment. This is more than a plea for help—it is a call to save a young life, to restore hope, and to give a boy the chance to reclaim the childhood he deserves.
Please, help Shakir. Help us give him a future free from fear, a life where he can play, learn, and grow like any other child. Your generosity can make all the difference, turning despair into hope, pain into progress, and fear into the possibility of life.
Every contribution, every share, every kind word brings Shakir closer to survival. Together, we can help him fight leukemia, regain his strength, and experience the joy of simply being a child. We wholeheartedly thank everyone who supports our son and stands with us in this fight for his life.
A Little Firefighter with a Big Heart: How New York’s Bravest Adopted Trucker Dukes
Before Trucker Dukes of Maui, Hawaii, had even turned two years old, life handed him a battle far greater than most could imagine. Diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer, Trucker faced a journey of countless hospital visits, treatments, and long separations from home. While his father remained in Hawaii working as a firefighter and caring for Trucker’s three siblings, his mother traveled with him to New York for the specialized treatment that offered their only hope.
Amid the daunting hospital corridors and exhausting routines of cancer care, something extraordinary happened. During one stay at the Ronald McDonald House in New York, Trucker and his mother met FDNY Captain Jim Grismer. What could have been a brief introduction quickly turned into a bond that neither expected.
“I see this little boy excitedly walking towards me with his eyes aglow,” Captain Grismer recalled. “I opened my arms and he basically climbed up and hugged me around the neck. It was as if we’ve been friends — brothers — for years.”
The hug caught Grismer off guard, but it also melted his heart. Soon after, emotions overwhelmed him. In that moment, the walls of the firehouse and the weight of years of service gave way to something universal and timeless: the pure joy of connection.
Grismer knew instantly that Trucker was more than just a boy facing illness. He was a source of light, courage, and inspiration. So he arranged for something unforgettable: a private tour of several New York firehouses.
For Trucker, whose father was already his hero in Maui’s fire department, the tour was a dream come true. Big red trucks, flashing lights, helmets too large for his small head — every detail fed his imagination. And the firefighters, men who faced flames and danger daily, found themselves captivated not by an alarm bell but by the presence of a three-year-old who carried more bravery in his tiny body than they could measure.
In recognition of his spirit, Trucker was made an honorary firefighter. The FDNY didn’t just welcome him into their firehouses; they adopted him into their brotherhood. From that day on, Trucker wasn’t just a boy fighting cancer. He was one of New York’s bravest.
“This honor is so special to us because Trucker really thinks he’s a fireman,” his mother shared on Facebook. “We are so blessed to have been adopted by the FDNY. Time and time again, I have watched big tough men fall in love with Trucker. It’s really something special.”
For a child facing painful treatments and endless uncertainty, the title of “firefighter” wasn’t just symbolic. It gave Trucker identity, pride, and joy. For his family, it meant their child was surrounded by love and support that stretched far beyond the walls of any hospital.
And for the FDNY, it was a reminder that courage comes in all sizes. They had found a brother not in the ranks of their seasoned veterans, but in the form of a little boy from Hawaii whose fight against cancer embodied everything they stood for: resilience, strength, and selfless spirit.
The story of Trucker Dukes is more than just a child’s battle with illness. It is about community, compassion, and the extraordinary power of human connection. A hug turned into a friendship. A friendship turned into family. And a child’s dream of being a firefighter turned into a legacy that inspired countless others.
In the toughest of times, Trucker showed that bravery is not measured by age or strength, but by the light we carry inside us. And thanks to the love of his family and the embrace of New York’s bravest, his light continues to shine.
