COLORADO SPRINGS – You may remember Joshua, a 4-year-old boy battling cancer who was sworn in as a Colorado Springs Police officer in April.
The Colorado Springs Police Department posted photos to their Facebook of the brave boy with a big smile on his face before he endures another challenging round of chemotherapy. The police department asks for thoughts and prayers as Joshua and his family continues to battle Stage IV Kidney Cancer.
Joshua was diagnosed with the disease on Father’s Day weekend at just 3 years old. Doctors were able to remove an 11-centimeter long tumor along his left kidney, that originally spread to his abdomen, lymph nodes, and lungs.
Joshua then underwent radiation therapy and chemotherapy, finishing on December 30, 2017. That day, he was considered officially in remission.
Less than a month later another tumor was removed but doctors confirmed the cancer was coming back, according to CSPD.
So just before the 4-year-old was to endure another aggressive round of chemo, the Colorado Springs Police Department decided to have him take the oath of office. He did so on April 17, dressed in his custom-made uniform.
Joshua began chemo at the Aurora Children’s Hospital on April 19, which was a six-month treatment. The treatment included harvesting stem cells, to perform another round of radiation therapy, but this time on Joshua’s whole chest.
Joshua’s family moved to Colorado Springs from Los Angeles in March. His father, Joseph Salmoiraghi, is a disabled veteran and pastor. His mother Amanda, is a Major in the USAF stationed at Peterson Air Force Base.
Joshua also has two older brothers, Benjamin and Timothy.
We send Joshua and his family our thoughts and prayers during his next round of treatment.
