DES MOINES, Iowa —

Gabe Fholer was in kindergarten when he started experiencing fevers and unexplained pain. His mom knew something was wrong.

"Our pediatrician came in and said his white counts were so high the machine couldn't read them," Stephanie Fholer said.

Gabe was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

"Just the worst thing you can imagine. Just the shock. He was a very healthy, normal, active 6-year-old," Stephanie Fholer said.

Gabe spent a year and a half going through treatment, including chemotherapy.

"This particular type of ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) was very challenging to cure. It required some less conventional approaches at the time," Dr. Nick Fustino said.

Doctors say Gabe was one of the first children at Blank Children'

See Full Page