In the vast expanse of the outdoors, especially in National Parks where the wind whispers through the trees and the sun paints the landscape with golden hues, the Rees family finds solace and joy. For them, the great outdoors is not just a place, it’s a sanctuary where they bond, explore, and cherish precious moments together.

At the heart of this adventurous family is William, a brave 3-year-old who is battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) with unwavering courage. His journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, is a testament to the strength and resilience found in the innocence of a child.

William’s 13-year-old brother, Bobby, is an integral part of the Rees family dynamic and daily routine. Described as embodying a relaxed and easygoing nature, Bobby’s unique personality complements William, often fondly called Willy, who is assertive and very enthusiastic about experiencing new things. Their interests also naturally diverge due to their age difference. Bobby enjoys creating content like YouTube clips and working on backyard building projects, whereas Willy finds joy in playing with Legos and stacking blocks. Additionally, Bobby already has dreams of becoming a pilot, and although Willy is too young to articulate his future plans, the family humorously mused: “Maybe a cancer doctor?”

Doctors have played such an important role in William’s short time on this earth thus far with what feels like a long journey with cancer. This has not only been long metaphorically, but the family also happens to live nearly 1,000 miles away from the hospital where Willy receives treatment. The family was making the 13-hour, one-way drive with all of their family members and extra supplies, and often had to rent a car to ensure maximum safety on these journeys.

When winter fell and conditions were not ideal to drive from North Dakota to Utah, Compass to Care was asked to help the family by someone at the hospital. Hearing this story and how the Rees family continuously navigated logistical hurdles with resilience, especially with such a young, sick child, Compass to Care was honored to be of assistance!

Thanks to our amazing donors and community, Compass to Care has provided 8 round trip flights for Willy and his mom. Having cut the commute down to treatments from 13 hours one way to 6 hours allows the family to spend less time prepping for their journey and more time being together.

A cancer diagnosis is hard for anyone to understand, but when the patient is only 3 years old, it can be nearly impossible. Not being able to fully comprehend or communicate what they are feeling, it is also hard for the families to offer any help when they don’t understand what is going on. Because of this, the Rees family has found solace in talking to God, but also to other families that have older children with cancer.

“We were able to better understand what our son was going through by asking the older children. For example, during treatment, the different chemotherapy medications cause different reactions to taste or moods. We learned that sometimes Willy would only be able to taste sweet or salty foods. Mood swings can be also associated with different medications. Speaking with other people going through the same type of treatment can be very beneficial when trying to understand why the child won’t eat or why he is very angry or agitated. Also, we would suggest that you get every printout on the medication given. Researching these medications also helped us to better figure out what our son was going through. The process is extremely tough on the individual and also the family members. Getting as much information on the topic/treatment will help everyone cope better.”

The family has also said they would gladly correspond with any family facing a similar situation that is seeking guidance during this challenging process. They know it is not easy, but believe that with a supportive community, we can find strength to overcome obstacles and find hope along the journey.

As they continue on the road ahead, the Rees family stands as a testament to the power of love, community, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity. And in William’s brave smile and resilient spirit, we find hope and courage to embrace each day with renewed strength.