Ian Erickson

6-year old Ian Erickson has loved growing up in the small town and amazing community of Tooele, UT with his family of seven – including his mother, Debbie, father, Daniel, and siblings Kaitlyn, Skyler, Aaron, and Melaine. Indeed, Ian enjoys the simple things in life like swimming and going to the beach with his family. Yet, he loves spending time with his dad the very most. “He’s my favorite,” he says.
Like most little boys, Ian’s interests include all kinds of toys and adventure- dinosaurs, the hulk, and playing with kinetic sand. He also loves playing Minecraft and playing with his twin cousins. His family describes him as shy, but a little crazy once he gets to know people, and pretty easy going compared to his siblings.
Just one week away from starting kindergarten, Ian began getting pretty sick. His mom noticed that he was more tired than normal, that his skin had turned yellow, and that his appetite was no longer what it once was. With bruises beginning to show up in weird places, Ian’s parents rushed him to Primary Children’s Medical Center. Ian was brave and strong during the tests and was soon diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and spent the first month in and out of the hospital with complications.
While Ian is all too aware of what a hard journey this has been for him and his family, he also says their family has learned to enjoy all the good moments, whether small or big. He finds hope in the high success rate of treatment for his particular type of cancer and in the fact that he has just one year left in his treatment plan.
Although Ian admits he still doesn’t really understand everything about what is going on, his mother describes him as so incredibly strong, and as her “hero.” She laments that “No parent should ever have to hear ‘your child has cancer.’” And although she isn’t afraid to admit the very real truth that “cancer sucks”, she also is quick to acknowledge all of the help and support their family has been offered. She calls the cancer family simply the best and says that everyone in the cancer community has been so helpful and understanding. In addition, their ward family has stepped in to help them and they have keenly felt the blessings of God during this hard time.
[Photography credit Carlye Morgan Carlye Morgan Photography]
Like most little boys, Ian’s interests include all kinds of toys and adventure- dinosaurs, the hulk, and playing with kinetic sand. He also loves playing Minecraft and playing with his twin cousins. His family describes him as shy, but a little crazy once he gets to know people, and pretty easy going compared to his siblings.
Just one week away from starting kindergarten, Ian began getting pretty sick. His mom noticed that he was more tired than normal, that his skin had turned yellow, and that his appetite was no longer what it once was. With bruises beginning to show up in weird places, Ian’s parents rushed him to Primary Children’s Medical Center. Ian was brave and strong during the tests and was soon diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and spent the first month in and out of the hospital with complications.
While Ian is all too aware of what a hard journey this has been for him and his family, he also says their family has learned to enjoy all the good moments, whether small or big. He finds hope in the high success rate of treatment for his particular type of cancer and in the fact that he has just one year left in his treatment plan.
Although Ian admits he still doesn’t really understand everything about what is going on, his mother describes him as so incredibly strong, and as her “hero.” She laments that “No parent should ever have to hear ‘your child has cancer.’” And although she isn’t afraid to admit the very real truth that “cancer sucks”, she also is quick to acknowledge all of the help and support their family has been offered. She calls the cancer family simply the best and says that everyone in the cancer community has been so helpful and understanding. In addition, their ward family has stepped in to help them and they have keenly felt the blessings of God during this hard time.
[Photography credit Carlye Morgan Carlye Morgan Photography]