Tanner has loved soccer his whole life. He’s played soccer since he was 3 years old. So, when his mother noticed her regularly athletic son struggling on the soccer field, her instincts kicked in: something was wrong.
“Tanner’s legs were bothering him. He was having a hard time keeping up with his cousins, and he couldn’t run as fast playing the game,” Samantha Bradtke said.
Samantha took Tanner to his pediatrician. At first, the doctor thought it could be growing pains. After all, Tanner is only 6 years old. But the pain in the legs continued, and after a few more trips to see the doctor, the family received the terrible news: Tanner was diagnosed with leukemia. Tanner was immediately admitted to the hospital. There, he received his first blood transfusion and started chemotherapy.
“He’s been emotional about hair loss,” she said. “His dad doesn’t have a lot of hair, and he thinks his hair won’t come back. He wants to look like himself. He doesn't want to look sick.”
Tanner has been admitted to the hospital four times. He has received eight blood and platelet transfusions. In August, he was back in the hospital for a bone marrow biopsy.
“We’ll be back Tuesday for the next round of immunotherapy. He’ll be getting medication through a port that he will carry in a backpack. We’re still getting education on the medication and how the pediatric pole will work.”
Tanner was excited to return to school, where he started first grade in August. Although he only attended the first day of school, he was back in the hospital on the second day. Tanner’s mom is optimistic about the year ahead. 
“I’m hopeful about school this year, but right now it's going to be a day-to-day plan,” Samantha said. “We know he’ll miss a lot, but that’s going to be our reality for the next several months as he continues to make trips to the hospital. We just don't know the future. This was such a shock. All of our lives changed so quickly.”
In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, Tanner was given the chance to live out his greatest soccer dream by joining a major league soccer team, the Chicago Fire, for a game!
“I now realize time is so precious. We just don't know the future. We’re going to make the most of every day,” Samantha said. ”I gave blood for the first time in August, and I’m not the same type as Tanner, but I want to pay it forward to make sure other families are helped out.“