Celebrating Life Amid Hurricane Helene
Thompson was treated to a special cupcake with frosting and strawberries in his honor.
Cole Thompson wasn’t expecting to celebrate his milestone 21st birthday within the walls of Moffitt Cancer Center, let alone during a hurricane. Yet, despite the chaos outside from Hurricane Helene, Thompson’s birthday became a heartwarming reminder of the strength, kindness and unwavering support found at Moffitt.
Diagnosed with stage 4 Ewing sarcoma, Thompson has been in and out of Moffitt since he was 16. After a recurrence at 18, he decided to participate in clinical trials at Moffitt. “It’s been such a wonderful and welcoming experience,” Thompson shared. “From the nurses to the receptionists, everyone here has become like family to me.”
On the morning of his birthday, Thompson’s day started with an MRI, but when he returned to his room, he was met with a surprise that left him speechless. The entire room had been decorated with drawings, streamers and a “Happy Birthday” sign. Nurses had even made balloons out of surgical gloves, drawing faces on them. “It was amazing,” Thompson said with a smile, clearly touched by the gesture.
His care team went above and beyond to make his day special, even during a hurricane lockdown. From the ICU to the food service staff, everyone knew it was Thompson’s birthday. “Every time I called to order food, they wished me a happy birthday. They even arranged a special cupcake with frosting and strawberries,” Thompson recalled. The nurses gathered to sing “Happy Birthday,” and the joy in the room was beaming from everyone involved. “We took pictures, and I’ll cherish that memory for the rest of my life,” Thompson said.
Reflecting on how the Moffitt team made his birthday so special, Thompson said, “It’s the little things that make the difference. The nurses here remember everything — what you like, how you feel — and they care enough to make sure every moment is meaningful.”
When asked how it felt to spend his 21st birthday at the hospital during a hurricane, Thompson took it all in stride. “I actually love the rain. It’s comforting to me,” he said, glancing out the window. “I’ve been listening to audiobooks and watching the rain fall — it’s peaceful.”
Despite the storm, Thompson’s spirit remains unshaken. “I can always celebrate on other days. What matters most is the people around you.”
He expressed his gratitude for his Moffitt family and looked forward to celebrating more moments with his loved ones once the hurricane was over.
Though the circumstances weren’t ideal, Thompson’s birthday was filled with love, kindness and hope — traits that define the very essence of the care provided at Moffitt. “Every milestone, whether it’s a birthday or finishing a round of chemotherapy, is a reminder that I’m still here. The cancer can’t beat me,” Thompson said confidently. “I’ll keep fighting, and I know I’m not alone.”
Thompson’s story is one of courage, resilience and the power of community, even in the face of a storm. And while Hurricane Helene may have raged outside, inside Moffitt, it was Thompson’s birthday joy that lifted the spirits of everyone around him.
