For JSC student Seth Irwin, an Outdoor Ed. major, September’s designation as Leukemia Awareness has special significance: a recent diagnosis of leukemia has landed him in a hospital bed and has prevented him from returning to the campus this semester, and most likely for the next two.

On Aug. 23, Seth Irwin’s sister, Sloane, noticed a lump on the right side of his neck. According to Seth, he had noticed it months before, but didn’t think anything of it, it being much smaller in the beginning.

“I thought maybe it was a cyst or a spider bite,” he said.

Earlier that week, he had gone to Tuesday Night Live, and went out to eat with his family at Lucky Buffet in Morrisville on Aug. 21, his birthday. Almost a week later, he had a doctor’s appointment arranged at the Cambridge Health Center for an examination.

The next day, he drove himself and a co-worker to grab their paychecks. Along the way, a doctor from the Cambridge Health Center called, telling him that the test results signified maybe something more serious than expected, and that what they found was going to be sent somewhere else for further analysis.

Later in the evening, he and his parents, Jarrod and Gretchen Irwin, gathered with other family members at Texas Roadhouse.

Sometime during the meal, he received another phone call from the doctors.

“The doctor’s office was closed, so we didn’t expect it [the call],” Seth said. He walked outside for a better listen. That’s when he found out he had been diagnosed with ALL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Sitting on a bench outside of the restaurant, he handed the phone to his mother, Gretchen Irwin, so the doctor could explain everything they knew to her. After a moment of taking it all in, they decided to go home.

For the past couple of weeks, Seth has been monitored at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. His immune system is mostly, if not completely, suppressed due to the chemotherapy treatments, which will continue weekly for the next 4-6 months after he is released.

Both of his parents decided to take six weeks off from work on medical leave to stay with and visit Seth at the hospital, an hour commute from their home.

“They can spend the night if they want, but I don’t sleep well at night,” he said.

Between having to take medications for other medications, and a vitals check every four hours, a good night’s sleep isn’t so easy to have, Seth said.

Jarrod is an employee in the maintenance department at Johnson State College, and Gretchen works as an elementary school special educator. Fortunately, their insurance covers the chemotherapy. One treatment alone costs $25,000.

Although most of his hospitalization expenses are covered, there will still be a bill. Many friends and families have contributed to helping Seth and his family by bringing them food, gifts, and positive messages.

His aunt, Kristen Connolly, started a Facebook page titled Irwinstrong so others can stay updated with him in the hospital, and to send their love and hopes. He rests often so he isn’t online much, but his mother keeps him updated. She also informs him about the progress of the fundraiser that Kristen also started on gofundme.com, having raised about $3,800 since it was created three weeks ago.

He says he plans to return to school next year, but in the meantime, taking online classes through the spring and summer is ideal. This way, he won’t fall too far behind on earning his degree in Outdoor Education. Right now, it’s dangerous for him to be out of his room in the hospital, but within the next year, being outside won’t be as risky.