Three-year-old Noah and his older brother, 5-year-old Ian, both have a fascination with cars, trucks and pretty much anything with wheels.
That's typical of boys their age, but what's not so typical is the journey this family is on.
A year ago, just before Noah turned 2, his mother said he "just didn't seem right."
It started with a double ear infection that wouldn't go away, unexplained fevers and a persistent cough. His pediatrician ordered blood work, which landed them at Hasbro Children's Hospital.
"We found out later that night, confirmation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and our journey started there. He actually received his first transfusion that night," said Heather Fogg, Noah's mother.
It was the first of many transfusions of red blood cells.
"We saw immediately within an hour of him receiving a transfusion, it really brings him back to life. The color comes back in his cheeks. He gets more energy," Fogg said.
In the year since his diagnosis, Noah has turned 3, he's been undergoing chemotherapy, has had at least 15 transfusions of red cells and has relied on platelet donations.
"He's getting better now. He's actually getting stronger," Fogg said.
And, as a result of her son's diagnosis, Fogg has become a regular blood donor. Her husband, Jesse, also is on board with the idea.
"It's become a family affair and coworkers, everyone has come forward because when something like this happens to you, nobody really knows what to do, how to help you," Fogg said.
Giving blood is one way to give to someone in need.
You can donate at the NBC 10 Community Blood Drive, being held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick.
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