Gratitude Stories – Liam
Liam’s ‘Just Do It’ Journey Through Leukemia
When seven-year-old Liam Chapman began complaining of stomachaches, parents Stacie and Lincoln chalked it up to a virus or perhaps growing pains. An active kid who loved flag football, basketball, and baseball, Liam rarely sat still … Until the pain kept him out of the games that he enjoyed so much.
But when the pain grew worse, his family visited Hasbro Children’s emergency department, where everything changed. After a series of tests, Liam was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and immediately admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
“The emergency department just had a feeling something wasn’t right and ordered blood work” says Dana Egan-Sherry, MD, Liam’s pediatric hematologist/oncologist. “That decision saved his life. T-cell leukemia is incredibly aggressive, and even a few more days could have left him much sicker.”
“It felt like an out-of-body experience,” says mom Stacie. Hearing the diagnosis was life-changing, thrusting little Liam into a two-year journey of treatment.
Liam spent 29 days in the PICU before transitioning to Hasbro Children’s Tomorrow Fund Clinic for ongoing chemotherapy and checkups. Through every stage of their journey, the Chapmans felt supported.
“They didn’t just take care of Liam,” Stacie says. “They took care of all of us.” Staff helped them explain Liam’s diagnosis to him in age-appropriate terms and connected them to services that eased both the emotional and financial toll of treatment, including support navigating insurance coverage.
One thing that sets Hasbro Children’s apart is that every child is assigned not just a primary doctor but also a primary nurse, ensuring consistent, trusted faces throughout treatment. Liam built a strong bond with his nurse, Glenna Swann, RN, who helped eased his anxiety about chemotherapy port access. What began with tears, long countdowns, and overwhelming anxiety gradually transformed into dance breaks and laughter, all thanks to Glenna’s calm presence and creative approach. With music blasting and unit nurses dancing to Liam’s favorite hype-up song, “Crank That” by Soulja Boy, port access went from dreaded to doable.
“Liam came to us terrified and anxious, but step by step he found his courage,” shares Glenna. “Together we created a routine that gave him control—countdowns, music, even dancing. Before long, he didn’t need the countdown at all. He’d just shout, ‘Just do it!’ while the song played. Watching him grow into such a brave, resilient kid has been one of the greatest joys of my career.”
There were bright spots that Liam looked forward to as well, including foot massages, art projects, and yogurt treats when he came to clinic, and a 3-on-3 basketball fundraiser organized by staff. When the Boston Celtics won the championship, Liam—an avid fan—celebrated with the team, who had become like family.
Now eight, Liam is nearing the end of his 25-month treatment plan. His hair is growing back, and he’s back on all the sports fields where he belongs.
For the Chapmans, care at Hasbro Children’s has meant more than medicine. “People assume you have to go to Boston for the best care,” Stacie shares. “But we received top-notch, superior care right here in Rhode Island. We’ll never forget that.”