I'm Riding For

Jimmy Wilson

My brother Danny and I would like to tell you the story of our little brother Jimmy. Back in 1966 @ the age of 9 he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. Back then this form of Leukemia was a Death Sentence as there was very little known about how to treat the disease. The doctors estimated he had 6-10 months to live. However, he suffered for 4 agonizing years. He began to have seizures/convulsions. His doctors tried everything they could to try to help him. These experimental treatments included: painful shots that left him black & blue, chemotherapy that made him weak and bald, blood transfusions, cobalt treatments (which the doctors had to mark his head w/blue & red magic markers), trial medications. Nothing helped. He eventually became legally blind as well. The disease traveled through his lymphatic system ravaging every part of his body. It entered his spinal cord and he lost the use of his facial muscles. Jimmy was a strong believer in God and he continued to pray. In late 1970 the disease entered his brain. I remember him asking several times “What’s that tree with all the lights 🎄?”. I told him it was Christmas but he no longer knew what that was. He passed away on Jan. 2nd 1971. There are simply no words to describe how painful it was to watch someone you love being “eaten alive”, especially a child. Now there are much more effective treatments. That’s why it is SO important to continue research so that no more children have to suffer the way he did. Please give all you can!! Sincerely, Danny Wilson & Debra Wilson McMillan