7-year-old boy gave life to his teenage brother who is battling leukemia

DALLAS – Brothers Preston and Cameron Pipkins were inseparable from the very beginning. It’s no surprise that when Preston needed Cameron the most, the 7-year-old boy was “grateful” for the best present.

Their mother Rachel Pipkins said it all started in September 2022 when 13-year-old Preston was not feeling well. It will be another two or three weeks before the family realizes that “something is really wrong,” she told FOX.

On September 27, Preston was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. The doctors said that without a bone marrow transplant he would not survive. After more than three months in the hospital, there were no viable matches on the national registry — Preston’s only match was his younger brother.

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Thus began their path to transplant operations at the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. Accordingly, the extraordinary act of love took place on February 14, Valentine’s Day and National Donor Day.

Preston will be in the hospital for six to eight weeks after his transplant, after which he will be closely monitored for a year and regular checkups for the rest of his life. His parents hope the transplant will cure Preston of his cancer.

“He overcame many obstacles and overcame them all with an unheard of level of maturity for a young teenager with a heart of gold,” Rachel said. “Preston says, ‘Live from day to day and don’t get overwhelmed by all the possibilities.’

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Admittedly, it was difficult at times to follow her son’s advice as it “was the most difficult test of our lives.” Rachel said she handles it by finding the positive in every situation.

“Even in times of great sadness, there is goodness all around us—hold on to it,” she said.

Friends and family have set up a fundraising page to help the Pipkin brothers get well.