Courtesy Photo | GREAT LAKES, Illinois (Sept. 25, 2025) – Liam "Maverick" Giesen poses for a photo at...... read more read more
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In July 2022, Chief Engineman Ryan Giesen, command career counselor at Surface Warfare Engineering School Command Great Lakes, faced every parent’s worst nightmare when his 20-month-old son, Liam “Maverick” Giesen, was diagnosed with leukemia, a cancer of blood-forming tissues such as bone marrow. That moment marked the beginning of Liam’s months-long battle toward recovery and his lifelong journey of remaining cancer-free.
Giesen and his wife first noticed signs in July 2022 when Liam began experiencing frequent nosebleeds. As they waited for a pediatrician appointment, they grew increasingly alarmed after seeing petechiae—small, pinpoint-sized brown spots beneath his skin often linked to leukemia. Fearing something was wrong, and with the advice of Liam’s doctor, they rushed him to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital in McHenry, Illinois. Blood tests quickly raised further concerns, and the family was transported by ambulance to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. There, on July 14, 2022, their worst fears were confirmed. Less than 24 hours later, Liam began his first chemotherapy treatment.
“Throughout it all he remained a rambunctious, energetic kid,” said Giesen. “I don't think he even really understood what was happening. That was the unique part about him doing this at 20 months. He was growing up and just trying to understand what life is. It was just normal for him to go to Chicago every Friday for chemo. He handled it like a champ. You wouldn’t have known he had cancer except for his bald head.”
After only a month of intensive chemotherapy treatment and multiple bone biopsies, Liam was confirmed to be in remission on Aug. 12, 2022. On Nov. 8, 2024—his fourth birthday—he rang the bell, marking the end of his active cancer treatment. While his immediate fight with cancer was over, Liam still faces a lifelong journey of recovery.
“It’s long term, it's never really over,” said Giesen. “So we're still going through it. Right now we're at two-month appointment intervals. Eventually we’ll transition to four months, then six, then one year. And five years from him ringing his bell, if he hasn’t relapsed, that’s when we transition to survivorship. And relapse is always a possibility, so every appointment is a little scary. But from day one, our focus was: do everything to win. Until a doctor says there’s nothing more to do, we move forward.”
While Liam’s treatment demanded strength and resilience, it also opened unexpected doors to support and friendship. During Liam’s treatment, Giesen’s wife discovered Project Fire Buddies—a nonprofit organization made up of firefighters who volunteer their time to build meaningful relationships with children battling critical illnesses—through a Facebook post, and realized that the Great Lakes Fire Department was part of the program.
“Our mission is simple but powerful: to bring more good days to families facing the unimaginable,” said Kurt DeGroot, chief executive officer and founder of Project Fire Buddies. “Firefighters visit these children at their homes, surprise them with special gifts and experiences, and walk alongside their families through some of the toughest journeys of their lives. Since our founding, we’ve expanded to more than 150 chapters across 12 states, and every visit, every smile, and every connection reinforces why this work matters.”
Project Fire Buddies and the Great Lakes Fire Department have been partnered for the last few years, and Liam was the first child from the program to visit the station. Since then, he and his sister Charlotte have returned four times for events ranging from a birthday party and Christmas celebration to pizza nights and even a bounce house at the firehouse. Each visit has given the kids a chance to laugh, play, and feel included, with the firefighters making sure Charlotte was part of the fun as well.
“This is Liam and Charlotte’s fourth visit to the station, and their visits are always a highlight for the crew,” said Chris Dowdall, a supervisory captain with the Great Lakes Fire Department. “Thankfully, Liam has rang the bell and his cancer is in remission. However, that doesn’t stop us from continuing our visits. Whether it’s for a special occasion or simply to drop by, Liam’s presence lifts spirits and reinforces the department’s commitment to compassion, family, and community service.”
For the Giesen family, the relationship has become more than just occasional visits—it has grown into a source of joy and support.
“For us, it’s been an awesome connection,” said Giesen. “The firefighters have been incredible with the kids. They love going over to the station, hanging out, and playing games. They’ve played Mario Party, shot hoops, and just spent time together. It’s become something they really look forward to. My son even wears his little firefighter hat around the house sometimes—he thinks it’s the coolest thing.”
As of September 2025, Liam is a healthy, happy 4-year-old. He spends his days running, playing, and doing all the things a child his age should, with his firefighter hat never far from reach. For his parents, every milestone—every clean bill of health, every checkup, every ordinary day—feels extraordinary after what they’ve endured. While his fight with leukemia will always remain a part of his story, today Liam’s laughter, energy, and joy are proof of just how far he has come.
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2025 08:48 |
| Story ID: | 549293 |
| Location: | GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 96 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Great Lakes Sailor Shares Journey Through Son’s Leukemia, Hope in Recovery, by PO2 Matt Hall, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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