JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and children throughout the country are sharing their stories. Nathaniel Nelson, 13, is one of those children who is battling cancer.
Nelson was diagnosed on Aug. 7, and since then, he says his world has turned upside down. "I felt bad for people who had cancer. When I walked by and saw them, it was really sad," said Nelson.
Nelson says it is ten times worse than he thought, but he's a fighter. "In my mind I know that I can do anything and beating cancer is one of those things," said Nelson.
His mother, Lisa Nelson, says he is the strongest kid she knows -- she calls him a super trooper.
The interview with Nelson was tough for him, but he wanted to keep going as a voice for children who are battling cancer.
"I want to tell kids to never give up," said Nelson. "Once you get past those four to six months, your life can go back to normal."
Nelson is battling acute myeloid leukemia, which is the rarest form of leukemia. It is a form of cancer that mostly affects those 65 and older. Amidst fear and worry, Nelson knows he is in for the fight of his life.
At the beginning of August, Nelson says he was "normal" as he played football and had play dates with friends. But the diagnosis came quickly and strong.
"It's probably ten times worse than what I thought it would be," said Nelson. "I always felt so bad for people with cancer, people with no hair like me and I would always get close to my mom and dad when I saw people going through cancer. And now that's me."
His mother says she quit her job to tend to her son and she will not leave his side. "I've seen him puke his guts up and look at me and smile. I've seen him in pain. I will try not to cry because he doesn't like it when I do."
The family says they are thankful for all of the prayers from near and far.
"I know that people are praying for me... oh gosh. And it just warms my heart," said Nelson. "I want to help too. As soon as I was diagnosed and I was being wheeled to my room, I looked up at my mom and told her that I wanted to go to University of Florida and become a scientist so that I could cure cancer."
His mother says she hopes her story will raise awareness about cancer research. "Many people don't know that only 4 percent of cancer research funds goes to children," said Lisa. "Our children are our future."
