At just 3-years-old, Leo’s world turned upside down. Known to his family and friends as a natural comedian—always quick with a silly face or a giggle that could light up a room—Leo loves animals, including his beloved dog, ‘Cookie,” and Ninja Turtles. But in March 2025, his mother, Melissa, rushed him to Hackensack Meridian K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital with what she thought was the flu. His stomach was swollen and firm, his energy drained. She never could have imagined what was about to unfold.
After X-rays, ultrasounds and CT scans, doctors discovered that Leo’s lungs were filled with fluid, and a large mass was growing in his abdomen. The diagnosis: Burkitt’s Lymphoma Leukemia, a rare and aggressive cancer that spreads quickly through the blood and bone marrow.
“We couldn’t believe the journey we were about to embark on,” Melissa recalls. “I thought I was bringing my son in for the flu. Suddenly, I was learning words and medical terms I never thought I’d hear.”
For six months, Leo endured grueling rounds of chemotherapy, surgery and countless procedures. Much of that time was spent in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), where the team at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital became their extended family away from home. “We were living at the hospital,” Melissa says. “The doctors and nurses handled everything amazingly. Every time something came up, they had a protocol and a solution. They saved my son’s life.”
Leo’s father, Chase, was also by his side every step of the way. Together, Melissa and Chase found strength in each other, holding onto hope for their little boy’s future. While Melissa’s mother also provided support to the whole family, including Leo’s big sister, Grace.
Leo’s fight was not without setbacks. The intense chemotherapy caused many side effects; at one point, he lost the ability to walk or speak for an entire month. It was frightening for both Leo
and his family. “Leo was so scared, and Emma was right there,” Melissa says of the child life specialist who comforted him through the darkest moments. With the love of his parents, Chase and Melissa, and the steady support of the care team, Leo slowly regained his strength. Even when his little body struggled, his spirit showed through—he was still “Leo the Lion,” facing each new challenge with bravery far beyond his years.
What stood out most to the family was not only the expert medical care but also the kindness and dedication of every team member. Nurses decorated Leo’s room and found creative ways to keep his spirits up, and doctors explained each step of treatment with compassion. “The way they cared for Leo as if he were their own—it was beyond what we could have hoped for,” Melissa says.
On July 19, after his final chemotherapy, the staff gave Leo a moment to remember. Dressed as Ninja Turtles, his care team surrounded Leo as he rang the bell, celebrating his victory. “To see Leo in that moment—it was absolutely miraculous,” Melissa says.
Now 4-years-old, Leo knows he has been given a second chance at life. He is thriving—back to playing soccer, making best friends and enjoying plenty of pizza, just like his Ninja Turtle heroes. His big sister Grace, 6, who endured months of separation and worry, finally has her brother home.
Melissa reflects with gratitude and hope: “I wish I could tell all the moms facing what I have that you will get through it. There will always be a way out of that dark tunnel. Thanks to the incredible team at K. Hovnanian and Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Leo is back home laughing, playing, and living his life.”
She also credits programs like Tackle Kids Cancer (TKC) for giving families like hers hope: “It means the world to me that donors are funding research, because maybe it can save another child’s life and help another family out there one day. I would say to someone considering a donation—don’t hesitate to help fund cancer research so that one day we can make life a little bit easier for children suffering with a baffling and awful disease called cancer.”
Leo’s story is one of courage, family and the extraordinary care of a medical team that refused to give up on him.