4-Year-Old Celebrates Cancer Remission, Birthday With Amazon

Columbia MD

15 September, 2021

4:17 PM

Description

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Nine months before his fourth birthday, Chris Milecki of Columbia finally was declared cancer free. The little boy had leukemia at a tender age, and after enduring rounds of chemo, had joyfully entered remission. To celebrate Chris' birthday and his cancer-free status, his parents asked Amazon if they could send over a delivery van for Chris to check out. He has an infatuation with Amazon delivery drivers and the nearest Amazon location was thrilled to help. In fact, much to the Milecki family's surprise, the company went above and beyond their simple request. "We knew we could do more than just show him a van and bring him a bike for his birthday," said Jessica Miller, Amazon Logistics senior regional manager. "Stations in the Baltimore area began collecting items off a wish list that was created just for him to be donated to Johns Hopkins in his name. We collected more than 300 items like pajamas, games, baby rattles and pacifiers, $6,000 worth of donations." Employees at Amazon locations in the Baltimore area also dressed up in pajamas on two days to show solidarity with the kids fighting cancer in hospitals. Chris' dad, Mark, said the light being shone on childhood cancer by Amazon has been much appreciated. "Blankets and pajamas are the most important thing. You run through so many. With chemo you throw up a lot and need to change your PJs often. We still have warrior friends there fighting, so the donation made in Chris' name means the world to us," he said. Mom Mandi added the family was "very grateful" for Amazon's generosity. About a week after Chris' brother was born, the 17-month-old was diagnosed with acute megakaryoblastic leukemia. "Chris felt terrible; the only thing that would comfort him was constantly being held — until we introduced him to Amazon Alexa. We spent much of the last few years in the hospital and Alexa has provided Chris and our family with hope, fun and dancing (for the nurses and doctors, too)," Mandi said. "While many days have been rough, we often wake up dancing and smiling with Alexa. Alexa says goodnight to Chris. She's our fifth family member and we take her everywhere, even on vacation. Alexa is comforting; we can listen to music, play games and read stories." The family was grateful that the hospital allowed them to take Alexa with them for treatments and overnight hospital stays. "We were able to change up the day with a story, something different, or bedtime music. I never thought caring for a child with pediatric cancer and Alexa would mix, but Alexa has been critical in our lives," he said.