Miracle Kids 2025: Javen Jackson

Javen Jackson’s journey is one of incredible strength and love, sustained by a resilient family spirit. It is defined by survival, loss, and miracles that arose in the family’s despair. His battle with leukemia and the obstacles his family faced along the way are a testament to their unbreakable bond and the depth of their faith.

A Diagnosis that Changed Everything

In 2015, at just seven years old, Red (as he is affectionately called by virtually everyone) woke up with distressing symptoms. A visit to an Arizona hospital revealed a harsh reality: an aggressive form of leukemia. This diagnosis would set the stage for a long, brutal fight. But the battle ahead was not just Red’s. It would take an army of family and friends across two states to fight this cancer and more throughout the next ten years.

Son of Dina and Jermaine Jackson, Red has a twin brother, Jayden (who also has a color-coded nickname—Yellow), and a sister, Jadiya. He was also a brother to the late CoriAnise. It’s within this family that Red has found the strength and resilience to make the most of his life.

Parents Dina and Jermaine both enjoyed growing up in Rochester, but when their family began to grow, they looked elsewhere for opportunities to thrive. They settled in Arizona and enjoyed life in that new, dry climate, far from Rochester’s endless winters. The twins were growing up, making friends, and doing all the things seven-year-olds do, all while basking in the presence of their steadfast father, who instilled strength and wisdom in his young ones.

The day Red woke up sick, his belly was distended and hard, and his eyes were a sickly yellow hue. A rare and aggressive form of cancer was diagnosed—Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia. This would be Red’s first test of endurance, which Jermaine had prepped him for long before diagnosis. Yellow recalled how this time strengthened their brotherly bond as he watched his brother fight for his life.

“It was a hard time in our lives,” said Yellow. “Being his brother and watching him go through what he was going through at that time was tough, especially because we were so young.”

Red recalled how much his brother’s support at that time meant to him. “We knew things were going to be different, but he stuck with me, helped take care of me in the way a brother does, and kept my spirits up.”

A Family's Resilience amid Heartbreak

By 2020, Red was in remission, and things were looking up. But that year, Jermaine was diagnosed with prostate cancer—and the family had another medical hill to climb.

The man who had been a rock for the family while Red battled leukemia was suddenly fighting his own battle with cancer, and his health was deteriorating rapidly. Still, despite his illness, Jermaine focused on his children. He imparted lessons of strength, responsibility, and survival, ensuring they were prepared for life without him. His quiet presence was a guiding force, not just for his children but for his entire family.

In the midst of their health battles, the Jackson family would face more heartbreak. Red's older sister, CoriAnise, then 27 and gifted in the culinary arts, was a chef helping to open a new restaurant in the Phoenix area. She was tragically murdered in 2020. The grief was overwhelming.

"When Cori passed, it was like everything fell apart," Red said. "But I knew I had to keep going. My family needed me. My dad and my sister wouldn’t have wanted me to stop.”

In 2021, the family returned to Western New York for a fresh start. Dina and Jermaine settled the family in the sleepy town of Mt. Morris, Livingston County, about 40 miles from Rochester. Red, now living cancer-free, and Yellow began school in the York Central School District.

Life in Mt. Morris was a breath of fresh air. The boys were older now, too, and getting into sports and fitness and doing well in school. Their parents kept a close watch, raising them in the church and attending sports and school events. In all this bliss, however, more health scares were lurking.

By May of 2024, as Jermaine continued his cancer fight at Wilmot Cancer Institute, Red’s leukemia returned, shocking the family as they discovered how cruel life can be at times.

“I was getting ready for track-and-field sectionals,” Red recalled. “I wasn’t feeling great, but didn’t think too much into it, thinking maybe I was just tired and dehydrated. I pushed on with the meet, performing several events, but knew something was wrong. After the meeting, I told my brother and my parents I wasn’t feeling well, and we went to Strong Hospital.”

It was also during this time that Dina’s own father, who had been an integral part of helping the family during Red’s first bout with leukemia, passed away.

“These were easily some of the darkest days for our family,” recalled Dina. “We had faith and hope, but I often wondered how much one family could endure.”

She sought comfort in her remaining family—including her aunt Sandra and uncle Raphael, who “were there when we needed them most. They cared for my children when I needed rest, and my church family supported us every step of the way.”

A New Beginning: Survival, Strength, and a Legacy of Love

With the recurrence of cancer, Red began treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH) by oncologist Jeffrey Andolina, MD, for both inpatient care on 7North and outpatient care in the AC-6 clinic.

“The need for a bone marrow transplant became increasingly urgent,” said Andolina.

By the summer of 2024, the family was searching for a donor. Tragically, two anonymous donors backed out just before the procedure, leaving them with no choice but to turn to their own family. In a joyous turn of events, Red’s younger sister, Jadiya, proved to be a perfect match. Despite the potential risks to her own health, she selflessly agreed to donate her bone marrow, a decision that would change her brother's life forever.

Amid this agonizing journey, tragedy struck once again. Jermaine succumbed to cancer, leaving Dina, Red, and his siblings devastated. The loss of their father added an almost unbearable layer of grief to an already difficult situation, but Jermaine's legacy of love and strength lived on through his children.

Red’s bone marrow transplant was scheduled for late 2024, just after Jermaine's passing. The process was painful, and recovery was slow. However, his determination to survive, bolstered by the unshakable support of his family, kept him going. "There was no way I was going to let my dad down," Red recalls. "He taught me to keep fighting no matter what."

The hospital staff worked with the family to ensure the most comfortable situation, given the circumstances. Instead of performing the bone marrow transplant at Wilmot, Red’s providers performed the surgery at GCH.

“They made sure that Red wouldn’t have to pass by the room his father had just passed away in as he was prepped for his transplant,” said Dina. “I know that sounds so weird, but little things like that helped us all.”

And while the family was preparing for Red’s surgery, their church family helped arrange Jermaine’s funeral service.

Andolina spoke highly of Red throughout this journey. "Red and his family are some of the favorites of all the nurses and doctors on our team. This family is kind and easy to work with, making the treatment plans much easier.” He noted that Red did have some difficult weeks during his initial relapse at WCI but continues to improve every day.

Post-bone-marrow transplant, Red did have some difficulty with nausea and poor appetite. Thankfully, through excellent management by Meghan Anthony, RN, a pediatric nurse in oncology, medication adjustments helped to resolve these symptoms, and Red’s recovery slowly began to progress.

Anthony echoed Andolina’s sentiments. “Red and his family were a joy to work with. They were so invested in his treatment, and their willingness to proceed with treatments on time, despite everything they were going through, played a key role in his positive outcome. Red never once gave up, even when the odds seemed stacked against him. I'll never forget his strength, especially in the face of such hardship.”

As Red's health slowly improved, he began to regain his strength. By 2025, he was not just surviving—he was thriving. He returned to school, resumed sports, and rediscovered his love for weightlifting. Red's story, though far from easy, was beginning to take a turn for the better.

Andolina reflected on the impact Red’s recovery had on everyone involved in his care. "The bond between Red and his family is something special. It was an honor to be part of this journey with them. Red is a shining example of strength. His resilience and his positivity in the face of everything he’s been through are truly inspiring. His outlook reminds you of the good in the world, even when times are tough.”

Dina explained how crucial her family’s faith was in overcoming their hardships. “We had so much love surrounding us from Pastor White and our church family and everyone in the school district, and we continue to have that love today.”

Today, Red and Yellow are seventeen years old. Red’s health is stronger than ever, and his focus is on the future. He’s living with a renewed sense of purpose. Both young men are preparing for life after high school, though they still have a year ahead of them. They are exploring their options and interests and are happy to have second and third chances. Jadiya, now seven, remains Red’s hero—the little sister whose marrow saved his life.

Dina jokes that it is as if she has triplets now!

Red’s dream is to give back and to support those who face similar struggles. He wants to honor his father's legacy of strength, love, and kindness by helping others. His story is a miracle of survival, sacrifice, and an unwavering love that has carried him through the darkest times.

“I just want to help others,” Red said, “I’ve been through a lot, and if I can help someone else get through it, I will. I’m not going to waste my second chance at life.”