Kylie's Kids: Lennon's First Snow

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – For Minnesotans, the first snow of the season is something expected. Often, it is more a source of pain than a source of excitement, so it's easy to forget there are people who are eager as they have never seen snow before.

One of those is Kylie's Kid Lennon. The 6-year-old from Houston, Texas had never seen snow. So, Friday was a bright spot during a bone marrow transplant and treatment.

Lennon may be far away from Texas, but his bed at Masonic Children's Hospital is surrounded by things he loves. There are stuffed animals, pictures of his family and a blanket with his favorite movie – Star Wars.

Then, there's his family. Mom, dad, his brother and sister all traveled 17 hours from Houston to make Minneapolis their temporary home.

"Very hard to have everyone in the car," Lennon said.

Minnesota wasn't part of the plan, even just months ago.

"Pretty much up until May he wasn't having any issues other than the fact that he's small in stature," Dana Gallegos, Lennon's mom, said.

In June, Lennon was diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia, a genetic bone marrow disorder.

"It's a disease I was born with," Lennon said.

Lennon went from a normal kid to needing a bone marrow transplant right away. That means there's an IV line constantly hooked up to get Lennon healthy again.

"I named him Bob," Lennon said. "I think that name is funny."

But maybe the best medicine is having his family by his side.

"It helps a lot 'cause I have someone to talk to," Lennon said.

Especially on days when treatment gets tough.

"It's hard to go through all of this stuff," Lennon said. "Going through transplant, having to feel yucky."

For his family, they don't mind uprooting their lives to be here for this 6-year-old with such a big heart.

"Lennon's just an awesome kid and he's always been that way," Dana said. "He has such a big, kind and loving heart."

Lennon will be in-patient a few more weeks, then they have to stay close to the hospital for 100 days.