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Koa Smith

  • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

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Koa was an amazing little boy who could make anyone laugh. He was strong, loving, kind, and caring. He loved to give side-eye and would do it with a smile on his face just to see if you were paying attention to him.

Before he was diagnosed, Koa had been at home, eating at the counter when he suddenly lost his balance, fell off his chair, and wouldn’t walk after. He was then taken to the doctor several times for different reasons. Week one was written off as an ear infection, assuring his family that the paleness and bruising on Koa’s legs were normal for a 2-year-old boy. Week two was just gas, even though Koa’s stomach was so distended that his innie belly button had become an outie. By week three, he finally saw his actual pediatrician and was told to get bloodwork right away.

Koa was diagnosed with high-risk B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia on November 5, 2024. He fought hard through many different chemotherapy doses for five months. Sadly, Koa passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025.

“He was handed a handful of life-threatening complications and each time he fought so hard for his life and he overcame them,” said Koa’s mom, Alexis. “He was the single strongest person I know.”

Alexis tells others who may also be navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis that “It’s a rollercoaster ride, so please just take one day at a time, one hour at a time if you have to, and give yourself grace.”

She hopes that more people will learn about childhood cancer through foundations like Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, so a cure can hopefully be found someday.

Information provided by Alexis S., Koa’s mom
Updated March 2025

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