Jack Norris

DREAM TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD
& GIVE KIDS THE WORLD VILLAGE

Goal: $7,000

A Journey of Courage and Hope

The room smelled of antiseptic. Beeping machines filled the air. Three-year-old Jack played quietly, unaware of the tension swirling around him. Then the words came, CANCER. Time froze. Hearts stopped. The future, once so certain, shattered in an instant. Laughter turned to fear, and life split into a “before” and an “after” no one could have imagined.

Before the diagnosis, Jack was just Jack. He was a curious, joyful child who filled every room with laughter and energy. He rode his bike down the driveway as fast as he could, chased his sisters through the house, and spent hours building imaginary worlds with trains and toy cars. Weekends meant family breakfasts, storytime, and backyard adventures. His life was simple, full of wonder, and ordinary, but ordinary felt extraordinary when it was his.

Jack was diagnosed in January 2025 with high-risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) caused by a rare KMT2A gene rearrangement. Aggressive and relentless, the disease demanded immediate treatment at Cohen Children’s Medical Center. What followed were months of transfusions, biopsies, surgeries, punctures, and chemotherapy. Playdates, bike rides, and laughter were replaced by doctor rotations, medications, and bloodwork updates. Childhood, as it had been known, vanished.

As treatment progressed, it became clear Jack would need a bone marrow transplant, a daunting, life-saving procedure. And then came a moment of extraordinary love: his sister was a perfect match. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, offering a part of herself so Jack could continue his journey. Her courage and selflessness transformed fear into hope, giving him a second chance at life and leaving an indelible mark on everyone around them.

Through it all, Jack showed a resilience few could imagine. Every challenge, every procedure, every setback was met with quiet courage. By the time he turned four, he had endured more than most could imagine, and in doing so, taught lessons about love, patience, and the incredible power of people who show up fully. Family, friends, doctors, nurses, and supporters, “The Incredible Jack Pack” carried him forward on days that felt impossible, proving that strength is both individual and collective.

Today, Jack is a survivor. His remission is a triumph of courage, love, and community. Celebrating a full year of survival is a testament to resilience, hope, and the extraordinary difference people can make when they fight alongside a child like him.

A Dream Trip now represents more than adventure: it is joy after hardship, light after darkness, and the chance to make memories beyond hospitals and treatments. Jack’s story reminds the world that a diagnosis does not define a child. He is strong, funny, loving, and surrounded by people who will always show up with their whole hearts.