Middletown boy, 5, gets all-star Phillies room amid cancer batttle

Stepping off the school bus, he had a smile bright enough to light up Citizens Bank Park.

On Thursday, the Philadelphia Phillies hosted a homecoming celebration for a local champion, Rowan Linder, who has been battling a rare form of cancer since age 3.

The 5-year-old from Middletown was greeted by Phillie Phanatic, former outfielder Milt Thompson and retired second baseman Mickey Morandini. He received a bat autographed by Phillies shortstop Trea Turner and a custom jersey "Rowan 5." Rowan will now sleep each night surrounded by his heroes.

While at school, Rowan's room was transformed with floor-to-ceiling images of Bryce Harper and pitcher Aaron Nola, plus a third wall of Philadelphia Phillies baseball cards.

The celebration was organized by the jFoundation, which assists families of children diagnosed with a terminal illness, with help from Phillies staff, Phillies ballgirls, and other volunteers.

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Rowan was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in early 2022.

"He was only 3 years old," said Kristen Linder, Rowan's mom. "So, he couldn't really understand what was happening."

"He knew he was in pain but he didn't know why," said his dad, Gary Linder. "I think he just got better at handling the pain. He got stronger."

Rowan's cancer is currently in remission, his family said. He plays baseball, soccer and loves watching the Phillies on the couch with his dog Thor, a massive black Labrador. His favorite player is Harper, and he's especially looking forward to Saturday's game.

On Saturday, the Phillies team up with Nemours Children's Health for the seventh annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Night at Citizens Bank Park. Septmber is pediatric cancer awareness month. The Phillies play the Miami Marlins at 6:05 p.m. Saturday.

What is the jFoundation?

Located in Delaware County, the nonprofit jFoundation provides financial and other assistance to families with a child diagnosed with a terminal illness. Since 1998, the organization has provided families with counseling services, medically necessary home improvements, and sometimes assists with mortgage payments, utility bills and even car repairs for struggling families.

The foundation's name honors 6-year-old Joseph Novelli, who was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer while in first grade. The jFoundation said it provides funds to families in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware in cases where financial hardship is the direct result of a child's illness.

What is acute myeloid leukemia?

Acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, is an extremely rare cancer of the blood and bone marrow that can develop rapidly without treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic.

From our bone marrow, the body releases stem cells. Such stem cells can develop into blood platelets, which prevent bleeding. Other stem cells from the bone marrow can form red blood cells and white blood cells, which help fight infection.

In children with AML, the bone marrow develops cells called myeloblasts, which never fully develop into healthy white blood cells. Without treatment, these myeloblasts can begin to crowd out other, healthy cells.

As a result, a child with AML might experience bone and joint pain, fatigue, shortness of breath. Children with leukemia can bruise or bleed easily. Treatment typically involves chemotherapy, radiation, or stem cell transplants.

The condition accounts for just 1% of most cancers, according to the Leukemia Research Foundation. The five-year survival rate is 31%.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Philadelphia Phillies honor 5-year-old Middletown boy battling cancer