Konnor Stirling continues battling leukemia

Konnor Stirling and his mom Janel embrace at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where Konnor is currently being treated for leukemia. Janel and her husband, Tom, have been staying with Konnor in Seattle.

A common sight in the hallways of the Colfax Junior-Senior High School are orange ribbons pinned to student’s clothing, a reminder that one of their classmates is still fighting.

Konnor Stirling, 14-year-old son of Tom and Janel Stirling, has been battling leukemia since he was diagnosed with the cancer in April of 2014 at age 12. Since then, the now eighth grader has undergone several chemotherapy and radiation treatments, received blood and platelets and a bone marrow transplant.

Stirling is now undergoing treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Emma Klaveano, family friend and neighbor, said it was hoped that the bone marrow transplant would end the battle, but it did not send Konnor’s cancer into remission as they and others had hoped it would.

“It was kind of a shock to everyone because they thought he was past it,” said Klaveano.

Klaveano, who receives text message updates from Tom Stirling, said “for a long time” tests showed very little amounts of cancer.

“They thought he was doing good,” she said.

Klaveano told the Gazette Monday that Tom’s latest update said that Konnor was once again in the intensive care unit. At that time, he had a CT scan that showed a leukemic mass.

Klaveano shared that doctors in Seattle have told the family there is not much left medically that can be done.

“They’ve basically told them there’s not much they can do now,” she said.

As for coming home to Colfax, Klaveano said she knows the family wants to be closer, but that might not be possible with Konnor in the ICU.

“They would like to be closer to be nearer to family and friends, but they’re only going to do what’s possible,” she said.

Klaveano did say, though, that there are still rays of hope, with Konnor’s brain draining, opening the possibility of doing some radiation treatments. His parents are not giving up.

Klaveano said that her 15-year-old brother, Nick, is best friends with Konnor. They were recently able to travel over to Seattle and see Konnor and his family.

“It was hard for Nick to see his friend like that,” she said.

Klaveano said that Tom and Janel have been trying to stay positive.

“They’re always in good spirits,” she said. “They’re, if you know Tom and Janel, the nicest people in the world. They have good faith, and they’re trying to hold up.”

Konnor, she said, is holding up well.

“It was good to see that he was still the same kid and wasn’t getting beat down,” Klaveano said of their recent visit to Seattle.

Klaveano also said it has been amazing to see the community support the Stirlings.

“It is amazing how many people have donated,” she said.

Klaveano set up a GoFundMe page titled Stirling Strong to help the family pay for medical expenses, travel to Seattle and Spokane and an apartment in Seattle. Nearly $7,000 has been raised through that page.

“I know he has a whole army behind him,” said Klaveano.

Colfax ASB Director Heidi Lowe told the Gazette in November that the students are rallying around Konnor.

“Anything to do with Konnor, the kids are like, ‘Can we do this? Can we do this?’” she said.

At that time, the school was hosting a blood drive in Konnor’s honor.

Many family and friends who are active on Facebook have changed their profile or cover photos in honor of Konnor. The pictures show an orange ribbon with the words, “I believe! Praying for Konnor.”

The Stirlings have been staying with Konnor in Seattle, which means they are both not working right now. Tom works for an engineering firm in Pullman, and Janel works as a secretary at the high school. Klaveano asked for continued prayers for Konnor and his family.

“Keep praying for Konnor, even if you don’t know him,” she said. “Send a prayer because it helps.”

She also said that Konnor has been a fighter through everything.

“Keep your spirits up and be strong,” Klaveano said as a message to Konnor. “You’ve been strong the whole time, and we know you can do it.”