ABC 6 visits Swansea teen battling Leukemia

BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) — A little over a month ago 13-year-old Brayden Cabral of Swansea was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Since his diagnosis on Feb. 25, 2024, he’s received tremendous amounts of support from the Swansea community.

On Sunday, ABC 6 News reporter Kaitlin Gehlhaus checked in on Brayden to see how he was doing, and his spirits were high.

The two had the chance to play a game of pickleball, one of Brayden’s favorite games.

“I love pickleball, it’s something to keep my mind off of the treatments,” Brayden explained. “As long as I am not hooked up on anything, I try to play pickleball and build Legos.”

Brayden said he is trying to complete the Binney Street Half Marathon inside of Boston Children’s Hospital by completing 553 indoor laps on the floor where he is staying.

So far, he’s at 121 laps.

“It makes me feel happy and I wish I could be there,” Brayden said. “It stinks that I can’t be there, but at least I can see the videos.”

Brayden’s mother, Kelly DiGiammo, explained the upcoming events Swansea is hosting in support of Brayden’s battle.

The Swansea Police Association is hosting a ‘Bald for Brayden’ event on April 11, where donations will be made to the Cabral family for every member who shaves their head.

On April 18, Swansea Little League is hosting ‘A Day at Fenway for Bray’ and Chace, Brayden’s little brother will be throwing out the first pitch at the game.

One local coffee shop in town made a special coffee drink called ‘The Bray’.

As for Brayden’s health, his mom said he is handling the chemotherapy well so far.

“He has no detectable cancer in his blood, stem cells, or bone marrow,” DiGiammo said. “What we know is that he still will need a stem cell transplant because his stem cells are what are responsible for creating the Leukemia cells in the first place.”