Why We Fight.
Jess Hagenhoff shares her story as the mother of last year’s feature fighter, Lukas hagenhoff
I wanted to take a minute to share Lukas’s story, because this little boy has been through more in his few years of life than most people face in a lifetime—and he’s still smiling through it all.Before Lukas was even born, our world was turned upside down. When I was 26 weeks pregnant, my oldest son and I were in a car accident. It left me with severe whiplash and sent me into early contractions. I was terrified. What I didn’t know back then was that the accident had also caused an injury to Lukas—a small bowel rupture—that didn’t show up until after he was born. At just three days old, Lukas went into surgery for another bowel issue doctors already knew about, and that’s when they found the rupture. The amazing part? Because he had still been safe inside my womb when it happened, everything was sterile. The doctors said if it hadn’t been discovered during that surgery, he could’ve gotten very sick—maybe even septic—and being born at 35 weeks, there’s a good chance he wouldn’t have made it. I still get chills thinking about how close we came to losing him before we even began. Lukas spent 11 long weeks in the hospital after that. He came home with a g-tube to help with feeding, and the day we finally brought him home was one I’ll never forget—it was the day before his big sister’s 6th birthday. She said it was the best present ever. When he was just 5 months old, Lukas caught Covid and spent 6 days in the hospital. Then at 7 months, he had open-heart surgery to repair three holes in his tiny heart. Over the next couple of years, he faced multiple hernia surgeries, ear tubes, and even a tonsillectomy. Every time, I told myself, “Okay, maybe now things will slow down.” But in September of 2024, our world stopped again. Lukas was diagnosed with leukemia. We started chemo right away. The first hospital stay was brutal—35 days for his port surgery and that first intense cycle. For kids with Down syndrome, leukemia is actually more common, but the chemo is harder on their bodies. One doctor told me something that I’ll never forget: “It’s not always the cancer that takes our kids with Down syndrome—it’s the side effects or the infections their bodies can’t fight.” Hearing that broke me. But I also knew Lukas was a fighter. There were two rounds of chemo that were especially hard—28 days each, 24 hours a day, nonstop medicine pumping through his port. But every single time, he found a way to smile. Even when he felt miserable, even when I wanted to crumble, his strength lifted me up. Right now, we’re in the maintenance phase, which feels a little lighter, but it doesn’t mean we’re done fighting. For his 4th birthday, we spent a week in the hospital because of a simple cold that turned serious so fast. That’s just part of life with chemo and a fragile immune system. But there’s light ahead. If all goes as planned, Lukas will finish treatment by spring or summer of 2027. I can’t wait for the day we get to ring that remission bell together and finally put this chapter behind us. Lukas has taught me what real courage looks like. He’s proof that miracles still happen, and I’m just so grateful every single day that I get to be his mom.
margo brown, One of our 2026 feature fighters, shares a special story and a positive message
Hi, my name is Margo, a 13-year-old cancer patient here at MU’s Children’s Hospital. I was diagnosed with Leukemia in April of 2025. My journey has been very hard, but in August 2025, I made it to remission, but I still have long journey of treatment ahead! After chemo, I would get to go to the prize box, but there was never anything for teenagers. So, my mom and I decided to put together carts to donate to the hospital for teenage patients. With the help of the community and the Child Life Team, we were able to make that wish come true. Whatever you are going through, remember that you are stronger than you think—Just like a dragon. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” -Philippians. I hope something from this cart brings you joy. You got this and STAY STRONG
To donate to Margo and other children at the Children’s Hospital in Columbia, use the link below to purchase items from their wishlist.
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