Central Florida child completes his chemo treatments

Joshua Chambers was diagnosed with leukemia at age 3

Six-year-old Joshua Chambers has been coming to Florida Hospital for half of his life since being diagnosed with leukemia at age 3.

It is easy to see just how happy Joshua makes everyone here at Florida Hospital.

He is planning his last "trip to the moon," as he call sedation.

“Hi, everybody. I just ringed the bell three times and that means I’m done with chemo,” Chambers said.

One of the sedation rooms is even named in his honor.

Another treatment room is decorated listing all the things Joshua wants to do now that chemotherapy is over.

"Before I had cancer, I was looking forward to going on harness rides, playing soccer and eating salad and sushi, and not having cancer," Chambers said.

Joshua’s family started the Be Brave Foundation to give grants to families fighting childhood cancer.

"They can buy groceries, they can pay bills, they can take their son out to Chuck E. Cheese," Joshua’s mom, Mina Chambers, said.

Along the way, Joshua has met some special new friends, like Super Bowl 43 Most Valuable Player, Santonio Holmes.

“I met him at my house and I showed him my room,” Joshua said.

"It's really fun for me to be able to interact with a kid who loves me for me,” Holmes said. "To go through this moment with him is something he will remember for the rest of his life.

On June 11, the Be Brave Foundation teams up with Holmes’ Third and Long Foundation, which raises money for sickle cell disease.


About the Author:

Julie Broughton's career in Central Florida has spanned more than 14 years, starting with News 6 as a meteorologist and now anchoring newscasts.