SIOUX FALLS, S.D.— A 12-year-old boy with leukemia became an honorary firefighter of the Sioux Falls Fire Rescue following his final chemotherapy treatment Tuesday.
Jaykob Knutson was diagnosed with cancer at the age of nine, and has had 87 IV chemotherapy sessions, 1,064 days of nightly chemo pills and multiple overnight hospital stays. So when he showed up for his last chemotherapy session, firefighters helped him celebrate.
Firefighters escorted Jaykob to the hospital for his last session and received a plaque naming him an honorary member of the department.
“When (Jaykob) came out, he lit up from ear to ear,” Amy Knutson, Jaykob’s mom, told the Argus Leader. “He’s not one to be in the center of attention. He doesn’t like attention over the cancer. He’s really humble about stuff. But he was happy.”
After the escort, firefighters released balloons, performed a live demonstration on how to put on gear and took photos with Jaykob.
“It was really nice of them. That was really fun, riding in the fire truck to the hospital. I got to put one of the sirens on. Their job is really honorable. I like that. They do such a good job,” Jaykob said.
Our newest FF Jaykob Knutson 12 Yo battling leukemia. A big surprise for his last IV treatment @SiouxFallsFire pic.twitter.com/xW0jHu5bFY
— Jim Sideras (@JimSideras) July 26, 2016