Graham Smith to shine at Hockey Fights Cancer night

At just 6 years old, Graham Smith faced a battle no child should have to endure. On January 31, 2022, while battling COVID-19, Graham’s health took a serious turn, leading to a sepsis diagnosis.

“It was a little bit scary,” Graham said.

Nicole Smith, Graham’s mother, recalled the urgency of the situation.

“We were told if we didn’t bring him in that night, we might not have had him the next day,” she said.

Further tests revealed a more daunting challenge: Graham was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer that attacked his immune system.

“His blood count they quickly found out was next to 0. That explained a lot to us at that moment. We had noticed for a few months that his color was off and he was complaining that his legs hurt. It all worked out and explained itself,” Nicole said.

Despite the intense treatment, including 30 days of steroids that changed his appearance, Graham’s spirit remained unbroken as he continued to engage in activities he loved.

“They put him through 30 days of really intense steroids. That’s when you see kids start blowing up. They’re moon-faced. They don’t even look like themselves anymore. We felt like we lost personality that month,” said Nicole. “He would have IV chemotherapy treatment and the same day he would undergo a lumbar puncture with chemotherapy and he would come home and play soccer with the neighborhood kids. One time he had all that and went straight to BMX practice. I asked him if he want to keep it cool and he said no, I have to be there for my team and I think that’s the perfect example of his strength and resilience through all of this,” Nicole said.

Now in remission and receiving maintenance therapy, Graham’s bravery has been recognized by the Columbus Blue Jackets, who named him one of their pediatric cancer heroes.

“We were originally nominated for the Hockey Fights Cancer night through someone at Nationwide Children’s. I like to call them an angel because I have no idea who nominated Graham. But I just want to make sure if I says something about the Blue Jackets, it’s beyond what a great hockey team they are. The organization is just so great,” Nicole said.

On October 29, Graham spent a memorable day with the Blue Jackets, playing video games, decorating hockey sticks and enjoying his own photo shoot.

“They made us feel like we were the most important people in that room when Graham walked away high in life,” Nicole said.

Graham, who once wished for a star, now gets the chance to be a star himself. As one of the six heroes honored at the Blue Jackets Hockey Fights Cancer night, he looks forward to the team’s success.

“I’m most looking forward to the Blue Jackets winning,” Graham said.

The puck drops Thursday night at 7 p.m. as the Jackets take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.