Emerson Vivion pops up from the family couch, grins and cruises over to the kitchen table where his lunch plate of strawberries, homemade banana bread and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich awaits.

The 10-year-old Northwood Elementary School fourth-grader eases into his chair, takes some bites of the meal and intently listens as his mother, Erin, describes her son’s journey over the past two years.

The Mercer Island youngster is currently in treatment for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Emerson started getting ill in January 2023, and was later diagnosed with leukemia in May of that year. Now in the least intense phase of treatment (long-term maintenance), Emerson takes a chemotherapy pill every day and receives chemo treatment every three months at Seattle Children’s. He will receive treatment at Seattle Children’s through October.

As she lovingly glances at her son, Erin said: “The important part is he is getting chemo every night, yet he is able to go smash the ball in baseball, go to school, get back to being the amazing kid he is.” Emerson also plays soccer and has won some of his heats while swimming with Olympic Cascade Aquatics.

Later that evening, Emerson joined his Mercer Island Little League Diamondbacks squad for a game. Erin said they were excited for what was to come on the baseball diamond, where Emerson plays the first and third base positions.

Erin said that her husband, Micah — who works at Microsoft — and older son, Elliot, 14 — who attends Islander Middle School — have also displayed strength over the past two years.

“(Elliot’s) a champion getting through this, too, and Micah has been holding down the fort here ‘cause there are many times where Emerson and I were living in the hospital and they had to learn how to fend for themselves here,” Erin said.

March 15 was a big day for the family when Emerson was awarded one of six Seattle Children’s Hospital Community Day Hope awards for his fundraising efforts for the hospital’s Therapeutic Gaming Program. Erin said that the innovative and unique program has helped Emerson cope through his long treatment path.

“Emerson was a natural choice to receive the Hope award as he embodies inspiration, thoughtfulness and generous giving. As a young patient undergoing treatment for leukemia, Emerson found relief and joy in Seattle Children’s Therapeutic Gaming Program during his extended stays at the hospital. We’re incredibly thankful to Emerson and his family for bringing awareness and raising funds for the program so that other patients we serve may experience similar relief and joy through gaming,” according to a Seattle Children’s spokesperson.

Erin said they placed a $5,000 fundraising goal on their page, and at press time, it had surpassed $17,000.

The night before the award ceremony, Erin said that Emerson was excited while preparing for bedtime as they talked about receiving the important accolade.

“Seeing him get this award, I couldn’t be prouder of him for everything he’s doing. I mean, you can’t imagine what strength these kids have to go through the treatment,” said Erin, adding that Emerson’s eyes lit up when he received visits from former Seahawks player Tyrel Dodson, therapeutic gaming specialists Max Williams and Forest Coyle, and other Seattle professional sports players. Emerson was honored with the title of University of Washington Husky Hero and met football players Rome Odunze and Michael Penix Jr.

In addition to chemo, Emerson took the the FDA-approved immunotherapy drug Blinatumomab, which Erin said was described as the biggest breakthrough in childhood leukemia treatment in 30 years.

After missing nearly all of his third grade year, Emerson returned to school and noted about his favorite part of his days at Northwood Elementary: “Doing the sports and being with my friends.” Math, reading and PE are his best-loved classes.

Erin said it’s been amazing to watch Emerson engaging in normal activities once again. It’s like a miracle, and she doesn’t take anything for granted, she added.

While watching Emerson play in the Mercerwood Shore Club pool with friends, Erin said: “There’s so much beauty in just the simple things and that was sort of the first light at the end of the tunnel, I guess you could say.”

Last fall, the Mercer Island City Council declared September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the proclamation encouraged citizens to: “‘Go Gold’ by wearing gold, displaying gold ribbons, and participating in activities that promote awareness and support for childhood cancer research and the affected families; support local initiatives and organizations dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families; educate themselves about the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer to promote early detection; and advocate for increased funding and research for childhood cancer treatments and cures.”

As she learned more about the lack of funding for childhood cancer, Erin asked Mayor Salim Nice about the possibility of drafting a proclamation to support local families, and it came to fruition. The Mercer Island School District also posted a community notice about supporting local students battling cancer by wearing gold for one day in September.

Regarding her experience over the past two years, Erin said, “I want to help spread awareness, so that the families like us that are going through it right now, and those that will come, know that there’s something there to help them.”

For information about the family’s fundraising page, visit: https://give.seattlechildrens.org/fundraiser/5368363.

Emerson Vivion flexes his muscle with former Seattle Seahawk Tyrel Dodson. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)

Emerson Vivion visits with the Seattle Seahawks crew. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)