Last night we reported that Jevon Mahler died on Saturday. For two and a half years, the 11 year old battled with leukemia. In a sense, his struggle and his uncommon strength inspired many and connected a community of well wishers who, each in their way, hoped and pray that such a young and hopeful life would not be snuffed out by this smothering sickness.
We cared because, in a media landscape beset by hopelessness and despair, for a time, Jevon's shoulders, though slender and spindly, seemed strong enough to carry a lot of our hope, hope that if we could see him through this, then greater things would be possible. But he didn't make it through. Still, this remarkable young man did leave a lot behind for us to remember. It is a profile in a most precocious kind of courage and we look back at it.
Alfonso Noble Reporting, [alfnoble@yahoo.com]
When we first met Jevon in October of 2004 this is how he looked. He was on the news because he had been kicked in the eye by a circus horse. The 10 year old boy surely did look a sorrowful sight, but in fact we would never see him looking that good again, matter of fact, our camera would never see him standing again or strong enough to fuss with his mother over the dressing for a wound.
When we next saw him, it would be two months later, he was just about over his eye injury but he was in the grips of leukemia - the symptoms of which had started to overtake him.
Patricia Lanza, Mother
"This stage is the worst I've ever seen him in."
He had sores, belly swelling, loss of vision, and was fading fast. He had to be taken to Merida urgently.
Patricia Lanza,
"We need like $5,000 or even more because we have to fly him out."
The Prime Minister heard their plea and ordered the BDF to fly him to Merida. He was taken to the Airwing and his small, frail body, was carted unto the Defender. In an hour and a half he would be in Merida, and in a few months he would rebound.
But before long, he would relapse, a slow and painful descent into leukemia related complications. Again he needed help and he needed it urgently, and this time the boy would make his own plea.
Jevon Mahler,
"I am asking them for help and to anyone out there who can help me fight it." [Crying]
Alfonso Noble,
You think that with help from out there you can beat this thing?
Jevon Mahler,
"Yes."
A child terrified, yes, but also incredibly courageous and determined to fight. He lost that fight four days later, Saturday morning. But throughout it all his mother never left his side, she was always there to rub her young son's head and console him. But instead of pain, she remembers his dreams...and his love.
Patricia Lanza,
"He always wanted to be a man. He told me he wanted to earn a Mitsubishi and he told everything he wanted in life and he told me that when he got the vehicle I would ride in the front and his girl would sit in the back, he always talked nice thing."
And now...freed of his body that just wouldn't live, we imagine Jevon is finally taking that cruise with his mom.
Jevon's funeral is on Thursday.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
