Joshua Tomassi
Despite the long road ahead, Joshua continues to stay motivated knowing he will beat cancer soon.
Halloween is one of the best times of year for many children. It is a time when they get to dress in costume and go out with family and friends to collect all the goodies their bucket will hold.
For young David Ingram Jr., this past Halloween hit much differently. On this day he heard the words that no child should have to hear: “You have cancer.”
Near the beginning of October, David had a couple of days of what was thought to be a stomach bug. Then one day at school he was found keeled over holding his belly, so mom Kate picked him up and took him to urgent care. That visit resulted in a trip to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital where they learned he was likely suffering from appendicitis and a common cold.
David carried on attending school, participating in Halloween festivities and even playing in his first hockey game! All the while being plagued with bouts of nausea and pain. Then one day it became so unbearable he was not even interested in eating. This trip to urgent care was different from the first, because they were able to detect a mass.
Back up to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital the family went, and when the Emergency Room Doctor sat down, David’s mother’s heart sank. David’s CT scan showed two softball sized masses.
On Friday October 31, Halloween Day, following surgery from the day before, David received the official diagnosis: Stage 3 Burkitt lymphoma. He immediately received a bone marrow biopsy, lumbar puncture, and first dose of chemotherapy.
David began receiving daily doses of chemotherapy and quickly settled into the playful atmosphere offered by the Children’s Cancer Center at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, even becoming a “doctor” himself. His hockey team community swept in with notes of support and local fire, EMT, and police forces rallied for him and his family along with many community businesses and nonprofit organizations such as ours.
Even with all the support, a 21-day inpatient stay in the hospital is still quite difficult, especially given there was a three-year-old brother and golden retriever David was used to playing with. Right before Thanksgiving, the family was offered a brief respite from the hospital, which came with limitations because David’s immune system had been wiped clean by chemotherapy.
A few days later the family was back in the hospital to continue his high intensity chemo treatment, and by the end of December, David received PET scan results of “no evidence for metabolically active lymphadenopathy or metastasis.” After one more round of chemo and having his port removed, David explained being at this final stage best: “freedom”.
David rang the bell on January 19, 2026.
At Paige’s Butterfly Run this year, David could be seen frolicking around the plaza, playing joyfully as any kid should. A bit later in June, he set up a lemonade stand to support organizations such as ours that supported him and his family on their journey. He and his family are paying it forward with gratitude for everyone who showed up to support them during one of their greatest times of need.
Despite the long road ahead, Joshua continues to stay motivated knowing he will beat cancer soon.
To say that the last few months have been a roller coaster would be a huge understatement.
Archie was 7 months old when he was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor, a type of kidney cancer. He endured a nearly 12-hour surgery…
She was a full, vibrant child, who was so much more than her cancer which she never let it bring her down.
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