SEATTLE — Three-year-old Walter Linklater has a familiar dream. He is a big Disney fan and would love to meet Mickey and his other heroes at Disney World in Florida.
“Especially now that they have Star Wars, he’s a nut for Star Wars,” said his grandmother Elisa Fleming.
A good cast of characters keeps Walter distracted from the onslaught of cancer treatments he faces at Seattle Children's Hospital.
"Warrior Walt" was given his nickname by the staff at Seattle Children's. He was diagnosed with stage four high-risk neuroblastoma cancer with the NMYC gene back in 2019 at seven months old. He was given a 3% chance of survival over the next five years.
Walter has been through multiple rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, stem cell transplants, immunotherapy, full cranial spinal radiation and more. He's been to doctors in Wisconsin, North Carolina and New York before settling home with his grandmother nearby Seattle Children's Hospital.
According to Fleming, Walter uttered his first word, "baby," while pointing to the now-famous "Baby Yoda" character from "The Mandalorian." A character from the show even showed up at his second birthday party.
Walter was watching Frozen as he prepared for his latest scans at Seattle Children’s Hospital on Thursday. Fleming said he actually loves the hospital because it has been his home for so long.
“He was diagnosed at 7 months so it’s been mostly medical treatments for him ever since,” she said.
The staff often decorates with familiar Disney characters to make Walter feel more comfortable. His passion for Disney is well-documented on social media.
“Just look up Warrior Walt and you’ll find him online,” said Fleming.
It was Fleming's efforts to document Walter's journey online that got the attention of a local nonprofit, Campaign One at a Time.
The organization focuses on bringing joy to kids fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Campaign Manager Nick Ordonez said the organization wants to make sure no child battling a severe illness ever feels alone.
“After hearing Walter's heartbreaking story we knew we had to do something for him,” he said.
The organization is now looking to raise $5,000 to send Walter and his family to Disney World.
Ordonez said they know the power of magical memories and hope Walter will remember his dream Disney trip more than he remembers all the pain, trauma and cancer treatments.
You can learn more about #WarriorWalt on Facebook and on his Instagram @warriorwaltthejedi.
To donate through the Campaign One At A Time click here.