Latest update as of Apr 02, 2025

  • Update on Bennett :-)

    I just realized we haven't updated in almost a YEAR. wow.

    We are still in the last maintenance phase of treatment and our end date is still right around Halloween this year. I can't believe we are so close to the end! Bennett had a lot of weight and strength to gain since last spring of 2024... he managed to pack on all his weight again and gained all his muscle back and I believe he can do all the things normal kids his age can do... running, climbing, jumping, being a maniac. He still has his port and g-tube for meds and chemo but those will both be removed later this summer as we get closer to the end of his treatment.

    We are still doing once a month appointments for lumbar punctures, chemo, checkups/labs. Sometimes our appointments are so quick that we squeeze in a visit to the zoo down the road too.

    Bennett's hair has been back for awhile too, and he's had a couple haircuts in the last year! He's been going to his beloved sitter's house 2-3x a week to get out of the house and socialize.

    He loves dressing up and pretending to be one of these things: Monster, Zombie, Hungry Beaver maniac, dinosaur, king kong... to name a few. He's a character, loves making people laugh! I guess he takes after mom.

    We officially have his Make a Wish trip planned! We are headed to DISNEY WORLD May 17th!!! He has no clue yet. He's doing so well, we are able to do this so soon.

    When we look back at a year ago its hard to believe just how bad he was. He had very little muscle and could hardly stay standing for more than a couple minutes and he struggled hard to gain weight and we had to supplement with formula in the g tube. Now he eats like a cow and is normal weight. We are so relieved.

    Thanks for following our journey! I will continue to update :-)

    Love,

    Claire, Ryan, Bennett, and Josie

    Update on Bennett :-)

About this fundraiser

On Wednesday, July 5, 2023 Claire & Ryan Fickel received the dreaded diagnosis that their 23-month-old son, Bennett, has Leukemia. They fought long and hard to bring Bennett earth side, undergoing multiple rounds of IVF after multiple medicated cycles. He is “the little embryo that could” and we know he will beat his cancer.

Friends and Family of Bennett, Claire & Ryan Fickel have established this fund to help with significant impending medical, travel, and living expenses during his 2.5 year treatment plan. Claire & Ryan are currently unable to work fulltime as Bennett undergoes chemotherapy treatment at Children’s of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

We humbly ask for your support and your prayers that will directly help Bennett in the fight for his life and help them navigate this unimaginable journey.

Fundraising team

Friends and Family

Appleton, WI, USA

Organizer

Stacey Doss

Team member