At just four years old, Eli Belser’s world began to shift in ways no child—or parent—could ever anticipate. Around the time his parents, Marcus and Katie, welcomed their fifth child, Eli started showing signs of unexplained fatigue. At first, the family attributed it to the bustling energy and adjustments of a newborn in the house. But as days passed, it became painfully clear that something was not right.

“We took it as there’s a new baby in the house,” Katie recalls. “Then we realized that he was in pain at times. And obviously, a 4-year-old should not be in pain.”

A Frightening Search for Answers

Eli’s parents began a journey of medical consultations, including visits to a local clinic, a chiropractor, and Eli’s pediatrician. Yet, despite their diligence, Eli’s discomfort persisted, and his symptoms worsened. When the family was finally referred to University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Eli’s condition had declined significantly.

Katie recalls the urgency vividly:

“I called his pediatrician, and he told us to take him straight down to the emergency room, not to wait. And so that’s what we did.”

Initially, Eli’s symptoms seemed consistent with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), a rare bone disease. Treatments began, but improvement was nowhere in sight.

“At a normal appointment for his CRMO treatment, we told them something still didn’t seem right,” Katie explains. “The rheumatology department didn’t hesitate for a minute to dig deeper. He was having a lot of abdomen pain that day, so they did just an abdominal MRI—and that’s when they found the mass.”

The result was devastating: Eli had stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, a cancerous tumor located behind his kidney, pressing against major arteries and his spine — the source of his unexplained pain.

The Grueling Battle Begins

Eli’s treatment journey was both intense and comprehensive. He underwent:

• Multiple rounds of chemotherapy

• Tumor-removal surgery

• Stem cell harvest and two back-to-back stem cell transplants

• Radiation therapy

• Immunotherapy

“The chemo wiped out all of his blood cells,” Marcus explains. “And that is where the stem transplant comes in, to replace those cells.”

Part of this treatment coincided with the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, when hospital visitor restrictions added extra difficulty. Simple moments, like getting out of bed, became monumental challenges.

Yet even amidst the harsh reality, Eli’s parents found ways to lift his spirits. Katie shares a vivid memory:

“I made a sign for the window, and I remember my husband pulled up with our other children in the van outside Eli’s hospital room. Once he got to see his siblings for a little bit… I feel like it went up from there.”

Moments of Joy Amidst Struggle

Even in the thick of treatment, moments of triumph emerged. Just weeks before his transplant, Eli was granted permission to participate in a wrestling tournament — a dream he had long held.

“We knew that was potentially his only chance to be able to wrestle in a tournament,” Katie recalls.

Not only did Eli compete, but he won first place, a victory that lifted his spirits beyond measure.

“He was on cloud nine, walking through the hall lifting his trophy over his head,” Katie says.

These moments of joy, small but significant, punctuated a journey otherwise marked by pain, uncertainty, and medical complexity.

The Critical Role of Expert Care

Throughout his treatment, the Belser family remained profoundly grateful for the dedicated care team at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

“You feel like you never want to be there, under any circumstance, but if you absolutely have to, we were so grateful that we were there,” Katie says. “They took all our concerns seriously, and they really addressed them with each other. They were just great.”

The medical team’s expertise, compassion, and collaborative approach ensured that Eli received life-saving interventions while maintaining a focus on his comfort and emotional well-being.

Triumph Through Perseverance

Today, seven-year-old Eli Belser is in remission and thriving. A second-grader with a passion for fishing, Eli continues to embrace life with energy and joy. Though he tires more easily than his peers, his spirit is undiminished.

“Eli gives it his all, all the time. You would never in a million years think this kid ever went through treatment or had cancer in his life. He looks great, and usually has a smile on his face,” Katie says.

Eli’s resilience is remarkable, and his story is more than one of survival — it is a testament to hope, courage, and the unwavering strength of a family united in love.

Lessons From Eli’s Journey

Eli Belser’s experience teaches us profound truths about facing life-threatening illness:

1. Parental intuition matters: Katie and Marcus noticed the subtle signs that something was wrong and acted decisively.

2. Specialized pediatric care saves lives: Access to UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital provided timely diagnosis and expert treatment.

3. Courage and perseverance are critical: Eli endured grueling therapies but met each challenge with resilience.

4. Small victories are powerful: Wrestling tournaments, window visits, and moments of play reminded Eli and his family that life still held joy, even in hardship.

Life Beyond Cancer

Eli’s journey reminds us that survival is just the beginning. Today, his days are filled with exploration, play, and family. Every fishing trip, every school project, and every moment of laughter is a celebration of life itself.

“Through every painful treatment, every long hospital stay, and every moment of doubt, we held fast to hope,” Katie reflects. “Now, as Eli casts his line into the water, he is not only catching fish — he is catching life itself, savoring every joyful, ordinary moment that comes his way.”