In the small town of Auburn, Wyoming, the story of 5-year-old Lane Skinner embodies resilience, hope, and the power of dreams. Lane’s journey began in the fall of 2022 when he was diagnosed with leukemia after a series of troubling symptoms. His father, Ben Skinner, recalls the moment they received the life-altering news: “Hearing ‘your son has cancer’ was crushing. But even in that moment, we felt a peace that everything was going to be okay.” His mother, Amy, added, “Our faith and the support from our community kept us strong during the hardest days.”

Throughout his treatment at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Lane faced numerous challenges, including painful procedures and side effects from chemotherapy. Yet, he remained a beacon of joy. “Lane has this incredible spirit,” Amy shared. “He’s always found a way to smile, even when things got tough.” After nearly two years of treatments—including 20 lumbar punctures, 3 bone marrow aspirations, 8 different chemo medications, 728 out of 822 days taking oral meds, 57 port access pokes and countless hospital visits—Lane reached a pivotal moment: ringing the bell that signifies the end of treatment. Standing next to a picture of Jesus, he joyfully rang the bell in front of his family and oncology team. When asked what it meant to him, he softly said, “That I was done with cancer.” Ben expressed, “Ringing that bell was surreal. It was a moment of triumph for us all.”

Before ringing the bell, there is a poem all patients read. Since Lane didn’t know how to read yet, it was passed to his dad:

“Ring this bell

Three times real well

Its toll to clearly say

My treatment’s done

This course is run

Now I am on my way.”

There wasn’t a dry eye as Lane rang his bell loud and proud.

Just three days into Lane’s treatment, a doctor suggested they consider a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Initially, Ben and Amy thought Make-A-Wish was only for terminally ill children, but the doctor reassured them that it was for anyone undergoing significant treatment. “Make-A-Wish was more for our family and our girls,” Amy noted, recognizing the impact on their older daughters, Mercedes and Abby. “The girls had lots of nights where we weren’t here. Mercedes, the oldest, shared, ‘We hadn’t slept a night away from our parents until Lane had to get rushed to Primary Children’s. That was the first time, and it was a 15-day trip.’”

The Skinner family found comfort and support from their parents. “I don’t know what we would have done without my parents,” Amy shared, mentioning how they brought their camp trailer to stay nearby and care for Mercedes and Abby during those challenging times. “They were our lifeline.” Ben also expressed gratitude for his parents, saying, “They helped our older daughters live a near normal life by staying in school.” Lane’s diagnosis affected the entire family, and everyone stepped up to lend a hand wherever it was needed.

As part of his recovery, Lane’s family was thrilled to learn that his wish had been granted: a trip to Disney World to meet his superheroes, Spider-Man and Wolverine. When Lane learned about the trip, his face lit up with excitement. “I can’t wait to see Spider-Man!” he exclaimed, his little voice filled with joy.

Upon arriving at Give Kids the World Village, an 89-acre nonprofit “storybook” resort in Central Florida, Lane’s adventure truly began. The village is dedicated to providing weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families.

“The village itself was truly inspirational,” Ben recalled. “It’s run by volunteers, and all meals are covered there, catered to children. Lane had chocolate and vanilla pudding every night with his dinner.” The village was filled with joy and laughter, including a carousel that the kids rode at every meal. A beautiful castle stood in the village, with a ceiling covered in gold stars representing each child who had come there for their wish—over 190,000 and counting. Lane decided to color his star black with a magic marker, leaving his mark in this magical place.

Reflecting on their time at Give Kids the World, the village was a haven filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories, making every moment special for Lane and his family. Ben added, “We used the trip as a happy reset of this is our new normal.”

During their days at Disney World, Lane’s eyes sparkled with wonder. “I got to meet Mickey Mouse!” he said, recalling the special moment that felt like magic, especially since he had watched Mickey Mouse throughout his treatment. His excitement grew when he met Spider-Man and had his hat signed by Wolverine, Spider-Man, Storm, and Captain America.

As Lane prepares to start kindergarten this fall, he is filled with anticipation. “I’m excited!” he declared. However, the journey isn’t over yet; Lane will continue to have regular checkups at Primary Children’s to ensure that all his treatments have worked effectively. “We’re grateful for every day,” Ben noted. “And we know that Lane will always have to be monitored, but we are hopeful for his future.”

Throughout this journey, Lane formed a special bond with his favorite nurse, Michelle, who shares a birthday with him. The oncology team took great care of Lane and his family, including his little sister Sarah, who was born during Lane’s treatments. The family looked forward to going to the hospital and being surrounded by all their favorite people. Although Lane was and still is anxious to go to the hospital, it’s gotten better as he has a new toy to distract him, a Nintendo Switch.

Lane’s story is one of inspiration—a testament to the strength of a young boy who has faced unimaginable challenges with bravery and a smile. As he looks forward to new adventures, his journey reminds us of the importance of love, community, and the dreams that keep us going. With every checkup, every new day, and every moment spent with family, Lane continues to shine as the little hero he is. As Ben poignantly noted, “Ringing the bell was so symbolic of a crisp ending to such a long ordeal; it was very emotional, a surreal realization that we had made it.”