Stead Family Children’s Hospital treats rare-disease patient — and makes time for football
University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
Iowa City, Iowa
University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital patient James Hall
At University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, 5-year-old James Hall is being treated for Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare cancer-like disorder that affects only one to two newborns out of every million.
LCH happens when immature immune system cells, called Langerhans cells, build up in a child’s body. David Dickens, M.D., James’ hematologist-oncologist, said James’ LCH is caused by a mutation in the cells of the immune system. “With that mutation, the body generates a reaction that in some ways behaves like cancer, in that cells grow out of control, but it’s different in that it doesn’t spread throughout the body,” Dickens explained. James’ case is so rare that doctors have not found another like it.
Last year, James’ mom, Ashley Hall, organized an event that brought 63 families undergoing oncology care to a football game at Kinnick Stadium at the University of Iowa, which is adjacent to the children’s hospital. Fans have a tradition of turning and waving to pediatric patients watching from the hospital — known as the Hawkeye Wave. For that game, James and the families got to experience the Hawkeye Wave from inside the stadium, rather than from the oncology floor.
“We have committed to helping families through pediatric cancer, even while we are going through it, as it gives James' diagnosis a purpose,” Hall said.
James has been named a Kid Captain of the 2025 Iowa football season and has enjoyed meeting players, collecting autographs and walking out onto the field with the team.