LOCAL YOUNG CANCER SURVIVORS LEAD FIGHT
Liam Vest and Jocelyn Croxen have fought some tough battles that folks far older hope they have the courage to face. Liam, 6, and Jocelyn, 9, are leukemia survivors who, young though they may be, want to help others in their fight against blood cancer.
Liam, who lives in Chula Vista, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 2 1⁄2 and was considered high risk because he didn’t go into remission after 30 days. His father, Will, serves in the Navy and was deployed for much of this time.
Liam went through leg injections, lumbar punches and a slew of hospital stays. He finished with his treatment at the age of 5 1⁄2 last August.
Jocelyn, who lives in San Marcos, was diagnosed with leukemia in September 2019, two years, almost to the day, after her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Jocelyn has about 12 more months of maintenance treatment for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Liam and Jocelyn were picked as this year’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Boy & Girl of the Year in San Diego. The duo will serve as the spark behind the nonprofit’s annual Man & Woman of the Year fundraiser.
The 10-week campaign, which runs April 8 to June 19, revolves around a philanthropic competition among local leaders to see who can raise the most money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, with funds going to research, advocacy, public education and patient financial aid. The competition is expected to draw about 10 to 15 local candidates and thousands of participants from across the country. Local candidates will raise funds in honor of Liam and Jocelyn.
Jocelyn and Liam are set to cheer on the candidates during the fundraising campaign, which will run virtually this year because of the pandemic.
The children will meet the candidates virtually to share their stories and send drawings, pictures and videos to inspire the candidates. There may be some online media appearances, and they will be featured on social media.
Fundraising is not new to either Jocelyn or Liam.
Liam, who loves peanut butter banana waffles, playing soccer and the movie “Cars,” has been participating in fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for two years. He and his family have raised more than $5,000 for the nonprofit’s Light the Night event.
Jocelyn, who loves to take care of her pets — an Aussie shepherd pup named Sally, two tortoises and a bird — has been fundraising to bring awareness to leukemia for about a year.
This year, she and her Girl Scout troop plan to donate their cookie fundraising money to the nonprofit society. Jocelyn has raised money selling lemonade at a stand she set up to buy toys for kids in the hospital. She has raised almost $4,000 for multiple nonprofits.
Both kids want to help others fighting cancer.
“Knowing that our story has an impact and can help others gives us a reason and understanding of why this happened to us.” said Liam’s mother, Allison Vest. “We want to help others who are going through this.”
“We are involved with LLS and other charities to bring awareness to focus on pediatric cancers, and all cancer,” said Jocelyn’s mother, Tracy Croxen, who has been in remission since 2018. “We were both misdiagnosed in the beginning, and so we strive to share the importance of being your own advocate and listening to your body. Don’t stop until you get answers.”
When asked if they have any advice to help others who are fighting cancer, both children had answers.
Jocelyn said, “Think positive, take it one day and at a time, and keep your spirit up!”
Liam said, “I would say — go beat cancer! If you are strong like me then you can do it! I believe in you!”
Since the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society started the Man & Woman of the Year campaign in 1990, the program has raised more than $400 million.
Nominations for San Diego Man & Woman of the Year are being accepted through Wednesday at erin.brown@lls.org.
Visit mwoy.org.