Keeping the Dream of Parenthood Alive

Jacob was only 7 years old when he was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive type of cancer that arises from the body’s soft tissues. Among the many initial thoughts his parents had, they certainly were not thinking about whether fatherhood might be in his future. They had their hands full caring for him and his twin sister, Ella.

Jacob’s diagnosis started with a routine dental exam that revealed an unknown growth. At first, it seemed like a formality to get the growth removed and biopsied—but the results uncovered Jacob’s life-threatening diagnosis.

Jacob’s original treatment plan called for surgery to remove the tumor found in his mouth, a second surgery to make sure the surgeon had taken all the cancerous tissue, and two rounds of chemotherapy. “But the margins were not clear the way they had thought, which meant Jacob was going to have to do radiation,” says Nicole, Jacob’s mom.

“My mind was moving at a million miles a minute, and [his fertility] wasn’t even on our radar,” she says.

The revised treatment plan, eight cycles of chemotherapy and radiation, would give him the best chance of beating his cancer—but it would cause a significant risk that he would never be able to have his own children. His parents chose a fertility preservation technique called testicular tissue cryopreservation. This procedure, currently still investigational, is an option for boys who haven’t reached puberty, and involves removing tissue from the testicles so it can be frozen and stored. Jacob was the first child at Phoenix Children’s to have the procedure.

The procedure and storage for three years were covered by the generous support of philanthropy. “We are incredibly grateful,” Nicole says. “It was a relief. Jacob has this preserved if he needs it. What a gift to have somebody say that your kid is worth having this opportunity in life.”

Jacob is now 9 years old, and his cancer hasn’t recurred. He has CT and MRI scans every four months to check for any signs it might have come back. He’s in fourth grade now, and active in karate and other sports.

“He loves children, and he’s great with babies,” Nicole says. “So, I think to some degree, he understood that this was really important.”

For Jacob and his family, fertility preservation wasn’t just about a medical option—it was about protecting possibility. Thanks to the generous donations that covered the cost, it’s one less weight they have to carry. And it’s one more chance for Jacob to live the full, healthy future he deserves.  The program coordinator, Kathy Hinkle says, “Without the support of our generous donor community, fertility preservation wouldn’t be possible for kids like Jacob. Thank you to those who give to this cause; you provide hope to our patients and families!”