"It is actually easier to motivate people to do something difficult than something easy. That’s because the status quo is uninspiring. Our spirits crave to progress, and if we aren’t moving forward, we’re not happy."
–Sheri Dew (2008)
Our 2026 Honored Patient Peter has been given the gift of life - and with that gift understands more deeply the powerful truth expressed by Dew.
Peter has always loved playing sports and being active. Standing at 6’4”, the junior dreams of some day winning state championships in every sport he plays. He has run cross country, played basketball, baseball, tennis and football for Litchfield High School in Litchfield, Minn. The 16 year old also sings in choir, participates in FCCLA, and proudly marches with the band as a percussionist. His life has always been full of movement, energy and ambition.
But in the fall of 2024 - during his freshman football season - something changed. Peter couldn’t stay healthy. He kept feeling lightheaded, throwing up, blacking out, and eventually developed pneumonia. His weight was also dropping rapidly until he reached just 140 pounds. His local doctor recommended making an appointment at Children’s Minnesota, but his parents, Thad and Malinda, knew they could not wait. Unable to manage his worsening symptoms, they immediately took him straight to the emergency room there.
That night, in a hospital bed that made him look like a giant, the doctors started talking about leukemia. The next morning, their worst fears were confirmed. Ironically, cancer must have known his love for sports, as Peter was diagnosed with B-ALL - B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. In another strange twist, the blood cancer did not realize his blood type, B Positive, was also his life motto.
Everything moved at the speed of water shooting out of a fire hose. That afternoon, Peter underwent surgery to implant a port-a-cath and immediately began chemotherapy. Naturally, Peter suddenly was consumed by uncertainty and sadness - not knowing if his state championship dreams would ever become a reality.
But on his second morning in the hospital, something remarkable happened. Still adjusting to the discomfort of his new port, physical and occupational therapists from Children’s Minnesota came to his hospital room and asked to do some exercises. He was shocked when they encouraged him to lift his arms over his head and put on a shirt so soon after surgery. They reassured him he could do it - and that movement would help him heal.
PT and OT became the bright spots of every day. Along with playing guitar during music therapy, these therapists encouraged him to walk, stretch, visit the gym, and push the boundaries of possibilities. Their visits were fun, challenging and deeply motivating. He knew exactly when they were coming each day and each visit gave him something to look forward to.
During treatment in the clinic, those workouts continued to be a constant source of joy. Early in his treatment, Peter developed neuropathy in his feet and wore ankle-foot orthose (AFO) braces funded by Pine Tree for 3-4 hours every day. Though awkward at first, they quickly became a blessing helping keep his feet strong and preventing him from tripping or falling.
As devastating as a cancer diagnosis can be, there was hope and happiness that comes from progress and challenging your body to move, stretch and grow stronger. The PT and OT therapists were the perfect coaches, motivating him to do difficult things and rise above the status quo.
Spencer W. Kimball once said, "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs."
Peter has 9 more months of maintenance chemotherapy, and his journey is a testament to that truth. We are thankful to God for the miracles that have taken place and for the people placed in Peter’s life who continue to help him dream about the future.
We know that there were resources beyond our understanding that made these life changing opportunities possible - many of those funded by the Pine Tree family. With full hearts, we thank the many donors, volunteers, doctors, nurses, staff, friends and family who have been God’s hands in Peter’s miraculous journey.
