High School Golfer Stays on Course Thanks to Innovative Treatment

Thanks to innovative new treatment options, fifteen-year-old Kaiser Duchene is able to keep pursuing what matters most to him — including his love of golf. In a recent KHOU 11 News story, Kaiser shares how a chemotherapy backpack allows him to stay active and spend time on the golf course.

Watch the KHOU story here:
https://www.khou.com/article/sports/golf/high-school-golfer-leukemia-ch…

A high school freshman, Kaiser had just earned a spot on his school’s varsity golf team when he began treatment for leukemia at Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center. While treatment for leukemia often requires frequent hospital visits, Kaiser’s care looks different thanks to his participation in a clinical trial.

Through the study, Kaiser receives chemotherapy through a portable backpack, allowing him to continue many of his daily activities while reducing hospital visits from daily to just a few times a month. This flexibility allows him to stay active, spend time outdoors, and continue playing golf with friends and family.

Kaiser’s care is overseen by our Co-Chief Fellow Matthew Willis, MD, whose team works closely with patients and families to align treatment plans with each child’s interests and goals. For Kaiser, that meant finding a way to support his treatment while keeping him connected to the sport he loves.

Stories like Kaiser’s underscore the impact of innovative, patient-centered research — and how advances in care can help children fighting cancer or serious blood disorders remain focused on what matters most to them.

View Matthew Willis’ Texas Children’s profile here.