LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A brave Mt. Washington childhood cancer survivor and his family are using their experience to help others fighting similar battles. 

Not long after his fourth birthday, Seth Walsh was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia and started heavy treatment. He's had hundreds of doses of chemotherapy, full body radiation, two bone marrow transplants, more than 200 blood transfusions, Kymirah CART-T therapy and a clinical trial of Humanized CAR-T therapy. 

"Research is what saved his life," said Michelle Walsh, Seth's mom. "So he now has a powerful story we now feel is our responsibility to share in advocacy work but then also to help the families that are going through what we went through."

Seth just recently celebrated is 10th birthday and is nearing three years in remission.

"Seth has a very amazing story of survival, of hope, of courage and determination," Walsh said. 

He also has a big heart. He's met friends over the years facing their own battle of childhood cancer. 

"Some days, when it's just like a normal day, I always wonder, 'How are the other kids that have cancer and stuff? Like what's going on? Are they going to be sick for like, ever?" Seth said Tuesday. 

Seth Walsh

Previous photos of Seth Walsh (photos provided by family) 

Early in Seth's diagnosis, his family formed "Seth's Squad," a group working to support families through events like collecting toys to take to the hospital and hosting an annual blood drive. More than 10,000 toys have been collected so far.

Now, in order to further that work even more, Seth's Squad has officially become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 

"There's some kids that are really struggling right now just in Mt. Washington, and then when you look at the greater area ... there's a lot of our friends that are going through it right now," Walsh said. 

Through the newly established nonprofit, Seth's Squad hopes to make sure no family feels like they're fighting childhood cancer alone. 

"It makes me feel happy, because kids — they're not supposed to die at a young age," Seth said. "They're supposed to live longer."

One of the nonprofit's main goals is to help parents with mental health self-care as they process what their family is facing. 

"When you're helping your child, you are their advocate," Walsh said. "You are their nurse. You are their doctor. You are their everything."

Seth's Squad will continue its toy donations and annual blood drive as it helps families both through out-patient and in-patient hospital settings. Walsh said they'll being toys to the hospital and meals to families.

Michelle and Seth Walsh

Seth Walsh, 10, sits next to his mother, Michelle, during a WDRB News interview on Dec. 31, 2024. (WDRB image)

The focus of the work will be dedicated to patients at Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville. However, Seth's care team stretches to other states as well. Seth's Squad will also provide resources for families at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, where he's also treated. 

"I just like that we do the toy drives and everything so we can help them stay calm when they're getting like needles, shots, flu shots, like anything," Seth said. 

As Seth's Squad continues its battle for hope, Walsh said there are big goals for 2025 to help others through the nonprofit. She also has plans to continue pushing for advocacy and research at the federal level.

"We're always just so thankful that we're at where we're at," Walsh said. "And now, we can help our friends."

To learn more about Seth's Squad, click here. To donate to Seth's Squad, click here. 

The nonprofit's first big fundraiser is coming up in April 2025. It's a murder mystery dinner event at MillaNova Winery in Mt. Washington. Tickets will be available in February. For details about the upcoming event, click here.

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