She loved him so much.
Three-year-old Skylar Monroe told him so.
And three-year-old Callan Long loved Skylar, too.
Hoover, Alabama’s little boy, Callan Long, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in April 2024.
Newmarket’s Skylar Monroe was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor—a form of kidney cancer—in April 2023.
The two toddlers formed a deep bond as they played together while receiving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. As they grew closer, Callan and Skylar inspired everyone around them—parents, nurses, and doctors.
Skylar loved ducks. Callan loved dinosaurs.
A few months ago, Skylar asked her mom if she could buy a stuffed dinosaur and a lollipop for Callan. Tabitha agreed—Skylar could give him the surprise the next time they met at the clinic.
But just over four weeks ago, Skylar went to Heaven.
She never got the chance to give Callan his gifts.
“She was my only friend,” Callan cried to his mother, Kristen.
Days ago, Skylar’s mom Tabitha drove to the St. Jude Clinic in Huntsville and delivered the stuffed dinosaur and the lollipop to Callan herself. (Photo, bottom left.)
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
My Sunday AL.com feature about Callan and Skylar will be posted this morning—I’ll share the link as soon as it’s up.
Until then, please send your love to Callan and his parents, Ryan and Kristen… and your deepest condolences to Skylar’s parents, William and Tabitha.
Let these families know how much we appreciate the beautiful lessons Callan and Skylar gave us—lessons about kindness, courage, and compassion.