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Suffolk family finds out son has leukemia while traveling home from vacation

On their way back to Virginia, during a layover in Denver, their oldest son, 16-year-old Marshall, got sick.

SUFFOLK, Va. — It started out as a happy family vacation last week for the Thomas family from Suffolk, as all eight had a blast on an Alaskan cruise.

On their way back to Virginia, during a layover in Denver, their oldest son, 16-year-old Marshall, got sick.

"It's like walking in a fog...one foot in front of the other," said Marshall's mother, Melissa Thomas.

Nick and Melissa Thomas said before they left Virginia, Marshall wasn't feeling well, but, he was diagnosed with mono, given antibiotics, and felt good enough to go. 

But, when he wasn't feeling well in Denver, he was taken to the hospital, where the family found out the heartbreaking news.

"Another three and a half hour trip to Virginia would be too long. We got here and found out it was leukemia," said Nick.

Since the family shared that news, people from all over stepped up to help the family, including family friend, Amber Joyner.

"It was just devastating. It was a complete shock," said Joyner.

Joyner said her son and Marshall play for the same football team, so like many others pitching in to help, so did the team. The Beach Breakers came together to make shirts with proceeds going to the Thomas family.

"We've already got like 26 shirts already sent out to people. We're going to be able to wear them to the games," said Joyner.

Joyner said even far away, the Thomas family has support from their hometown. And, even though doctors are keeping Marshall there for a month, these friends will make them feel right at home when they get back.

"It's hard. My first inclination was to get on a plane to see them but I think we've got a really good support system who want to help even from far away, even people who don't know them," said Joyner.

Right now, the Thomas family needs help looking for a place to stay in Denver for their entire family.

Secondly, any donations for the family can be made on PayPal to MarchForMarshall@gmail.com.

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