In November 2021, something felt very wrong to the parents of Cooper Estenson. Their energetic young boy, who had just finished a successful modified flag football season, was suddenly pale, exhausted, nauseated, and bruised in ways that alarmed them. “I just wanted to lie on the couch and sleep,” Cooper recalls. “I didn’t really have an appetite.”

His mother, Kim Pederson, remembers thinking, This isn’t my child. Cooper’s father, Mike Estenson, agreed. Something serious was happening, but they didn’t yet know what. In early December 2021, Cooper underwent testing at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, where he was admitted and diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow and can spread to other organs.

The news was devastating. Kim, who had lost a childhood friend to leukemia, felt a mix of fear and faith. “Cooper looked me in the eyes and asked, ‘I am never going to get out of here, am I?’” she recalls. “He was sick. Very sick. I couldn’t lie because I didn’t know what the future held. I replied, ‘I don’t know, baby. But we are in good hands.’”

Treatment began immediately, starting with high-dose steroids. Cooper was hospitalized for two weeks, and while the steroids attacked the leukemia, they also stressed his kidneys and liver, requiring a short round of dialysis. “This was a really concerning time for us,” Mike says. “We were in the PICU, and Cooper was under frequent monitoring, including complete blood counts every four hours. The dialysis helped his body catch up, and afterward, we were able to transfer out of the PICU.”

By the time the dialysis ended, Cooper was released home just in time for Christmas—a meaningful reunion with the family who had been unable to visit due to COVID-19 restrictions. At home, he struggled with nausea and medication absorption, becoming very weak and unable to get out of bed. “Steroids do an amazing job short-term, but long-term, they’re pretty hard on the body,” Mike explains. The hospital team reevaluated his treatment plan, ensuring Cooper could safely continue fighting his leukemia while regaining strength.

Over the following months, Cooper faced multiple readmissions, including a serious bacterial infection in August 2022 that could have required emergent surgery. Thanks to the strength of his immune system and the expertise of his care team, no surgery was needed, and Cooper gradually recovered. Throughout the process, Kim emphasizes the extraordinary care he received. “We now have a very different perspective about just how amazing this hospital is,” she says. “They always had the time to sit in the room and answer our questions. They knew how overwhelmed we felt as parents, and how overwhelmed Cooper was.”

Even in the hardest moments, the hospital team went above and beyond. Nurses, doctors, housekeeping staff, psychologists, and even teachers ensured Cooper’s medical, emotional, and educational needs were met. “They’re not just doing their job,” Mike says. “You can tell that they care.”

Cooper’s spirit remained unbroken. Despite painful procedures and time spent away from being a “normal” child, his humor and love of life persisted. A devoted Hawkeye football fan, Cooper’s favorite part of the game is “the Wave.” To celebrate his progress and bring joy, family, friends, local businesses, and first responders organized a wave outside the hospital, waving glow sticks, holding signs, and playing music. “It was tear-jerking,” Kim says. “It made Cooper and a lot of other kids smile.”

Now 11 years old and a fifth grader in North Liberty, Cooper thrives. He enjoys art, basketball, swimming, hunting, fishing, golf, and playing with the family dogs. He is also an avid Minnesota Vikings fan, with favorite player Justin Jefferson. Through it all, Cooper’s perseverance has been matched by the unwavering support of his family and the hospital team that treated him like more than a patient—they treated him like family.

Kim reflects, “We could not have hand-picked a better team and group of professionals to trust our child’s life with. From Day 1, the staff have been our angels. From our amazing doctors and nurses to housekeeping, the teachers that allowed him to keep up with school, psychologists, and others—this hospital has been our lifesaving miracle.”

Mike adds his gratitude, giving a special shout-out to the main team of doctors who guided Cooper through the toughest year of his life. “We want to recognize and thank all the medical professionals who have helped care for Cooper,” he says.

Cooper Estenson’s story is one of resilience, courage, and hope. From the moment he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive leukemia to the countless treatments, hospital stays, and procedures, he has faced adversity with humor and determination. Today, he continues chemotherapy at home and through infusions, approaching each day with the same optimism and laughter that has carried him through the most challenging chapters of his life. His journey reminds us that even in the face of serious illness, love, expert care, and unbreakable spirit can create miracles.