Joseph was just 14 months old when his parents noticed low-grade fevers and swollen lymph nodes. Doctors told his mom, Kelsey, that his symptoms were because of mono. But Joseph’s health worsened. When he woke up one morning covered in bruises—a condition known as petechiae—his parents rushed him to the doctor.

The diagnosis: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Within hours, they were in an ambulance from Colorado Springs to Denver for treatment.

Joseph underwent two and a half years of chemotherapy, followed by maintenance and a two-year remission—until a relapse occurred. Genetic testing revealed a PAX5 gene mutation causing immature B cells and a new kind of leukemia.

This time, Joseph needed a bone marrow transplant in Denver. His family needed a place to stay while navigating this next, terrifying phase of Joseph’s treatment.

That’s when they found Brent’s Place. 

At Brent’s Place, his family found a safe, supportive environment to rest while Joseph underwent treatment and recovery. The team welcomed them with open arms, ensuring they had everything they needed so that they could focus on what was most important: Joseph.

Kelsey especially valued the meals and snacks the family received through Brent’s Place.

“It was so helpful to not have to stress about the little stuff,” she said. “I knew I’d be gone all day at the hospital with Joseph, so I’d stop downstairs and grab food to take with me. That was huge.”

Now, Joseph is six months post-transplant, preparing to restart kindergarten and doing well.

“Having Brent’s Place, especially during those first few weeks, was the best thing ever. Not just the apartment, but the support system—that saved me mentally,” Kelsey shared.

Support families like Joseph’s today.