Fairchild helps check off local boy's bucket list

On Sept. 7, four-year-old Jimmy "LJ" Now climbed out of the car and took his mom's hand, showing off a blue satin Captain America cape. It was his favorite outfit, specially chosen for the high-flying day he was about to experience.

He and his mom, dad, grandfather and younger brother were with him at Fairchild Air Force Base, where LJ was set to get a special tour. LJ wants to be a helicopter pilot when he grows up, but that's not why he received the VIP treatment.

It's not so unusual for small children to dream of a career in flight, but LJ's situation is a little different. LJ has acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive form of cancer that starts in the bone marrow. He's been battling cancer since he was two years old, and in the years since has persevered through E.coli in the bloodstream, two separate chemo overdoses and an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant. Now, doctors predict he has a 5 percent chance of survival.

The doctors recently recommended that he create a "bucket list" of activities he'd like to do and things he'd like to see. On the list were Disneyland, camping and a helicopter ride.

LJ has spent the last two years in and out of hospitals in Spokane, Seattle and San Francisco. He also spent nearly six months straight at the hospital after his diagnosis, to the point where he now refers to the hospital as "home." That's how his mom, Samantha Now, connected with American Childhood Cancer Organization volunteer Denise Maxson, who heard about LJ's bucket list and wanted to help.

Maxson's husband is retired military, so she called the base to see what they could do. Her search led to Lt. Col. Chad Kohout, commander of the 36th Rescue Squadron at Fairchild.

With the help of base administrators and other personnel, the squad was able to give LJ a day he'll never forget.

The squadron welcomed LJ and his family to their hanger, where LJ got a special tour complete with his own mini flight suit. He was so excited that he ripped off his beloved Captain America cape in anticipation - despite it being his favorite article of clothing, Now said.

Once properly outfitted, LJ was driven to a helicopter emblazoned with his own name, where he was presented with several other gifts, including a helmet signed by squadron members and a certificate making him an honorary helicopter rescue pilot.

The boy's name will stay on the helicopter for the foreseeable future, Kohout said.

"We've never done this before," Kohout said. "We're honored to be a part of it, that's for sure. It's amazing to be able to bring some happiness to him."

LJ was then invited up into the helicopter to sit in the front seat and "fly" to his heart's content.

The chopper may have stayed on the ground, but that didn't dim any of the shine for him, Now said.

"This is way better than even a helicopter ride. He won't get out of the helicopter!" she said.

Soon LJ was referring to the vehicle as "my helicopter," and said he wanted to fly to his two favorite places - Disneyland and Wal-Mart.

Watching him play and joyfully steer the stationary helicopter had many squad members and other onlookers in tears as his mother explained what the last few years have been like.

"He has a very rare cancer. They're learning more, but they don't know how to treat it," she said. "We do everything we can to make him have fun."

That includes checking off the other items on his bucket list as well. The family recently went to Disneyland and just got back from a huge camping trip with extended relatives and friends.

All that remained was LJ's piloting dream, inspired by a helicopter set he received for Christmas and the children's television show "Paw Patrol."

After his flight, he was taken back to the rescue squad's offices for a party with more presents, including a stuffed bear in a flight suit that matched his own, plus a helicopter-themed cake and cookies.

Now said it felt good to see her son getting the chance to be "normal."

"It's amazing how the community comes together in a time of need," Now said. "I didn't even know this was possible. They made dreams come true today."

As the party wound down, LJ sat at a counter surrounded by new gifts, his family and several dozen new friends. Decked out in his tiny flight suit, mouth full of helicopter-shaped sugar cookies and arms around his bear, LJ beamed up at his mother.

"Mommy? I love my helicopter."

Shannen Talbot can be reached at [email protected].