By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer
PELHAM
– A typical lunch break turned into an unforgettable moment of joy for the Pelham Police Department when they met Macon Staples, a bright-eyed two-year-old from Pell City who is currently battling B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
The initial meeting between Macon and Pelham police officers happened by chance. Officer Iliana Hayakahua recalls the serendipitous encounter as nothing short of a gift.
“You know, sometimes in our daily routines, we get these unexpected gifts that just fill our hearts,” Hayakahua said. “That’s exactly what happened the other day when my coworkers and I were heading to lunch and met Macon.”
Macon’s mother, Madeline Staples, shared with the officers that Macon has a deep admiration for law enforcement and has remained courageous throughout his battle with leukemia.
“From the moment we saw him, his excitement was contagious,” Hayakahua said. “Especially his pure joy at seeing police officers. His sweet mom, Madeline, shared with us that Macon absolutely adores the police and that he’s bravely fighting leukemia.”
After that brief interaction, Hayakahua made a promise—once Macon was feeling up to it, he’d be invited to the department for a special visit. She began following his journey through the “Macon’s Mission” Facebook page, eagerly awaiting the day they could host him.
That day finally came.
Macon, along with his sister Hadley and their parents, visited the Pelham Police Department in early May, where officers and dispatchers greeted them with open arms and wide smiles.
“Honestly, I don’t know who was more excited—Macon, Hadley or my partners at the police department,” Hayakahua said. “The air was filled with laughter, and we kept hearing Macon’s famous phrase, ‘Oh, my goodness.’ It was infectious, brightening our entire day and reminding us that even when things get tough, finding joy makes anything possible. Greatness truly is within reach.”
During the visit, Macon got to meet officers, explore a police vehicle and spend time behind the scenes at the department. His joy radiated through the building, touching every officer and staff member who crossed his path.
“After Macon and his family left, I looked around and saw officers and dispatchers still smiling,” Hayakahua said. “You could just tell Macon had filled everyone’s heart with so much happiness. We can’t wait for his next visit.”
For the Pelham Police Department, the encounter with Macon was a meaningful reminder of why they do what they do.
“At the Pelham Police Department, we truly believe in being a part of our community,” Hayakahua said. “We want to share what we do and, more importantly, who we are. We’re always here to help, and moments like these remind us why we do what we do.”
Macon’s journey is far from easy, but moments like this one offer encouragement not just to him and his family, but to all who meet him.
Madeline spoke about her son, describing how he’s being doing lately since being diagnosed with leukemia, and how his condition was initially discovered.
“Macon is two, and he was just diagnosed with leukemia in January,” Madeline said. “He is just so much fun. He’s so sweet…I took him to his pediatrician for his two-year-old well visit on January 29, and his pediatrician caught it with a finger prick.”
After doctors discovered Macon’s leukemia, he started chemotherapy two days later. Madeline later explained that three weeks after his diagnosis Macon unfortunately contracted a bacterial staph infection, worsening his condition and causing an extended stay at the hospital.
This extended stay at the hospital, while difficult, ultimately led to Macon connecting with Pelham’s police officers.
“When we saw the officers we had just gotten out of the hospital after (his staph infection),” Madeline said. “He loves police cars and sirens and stuff… He was so excited.”
Being Macon’s full-time caregiver has turned Madeline and her family’s life upside down, but the visit provided a ray of light into the family’s difficult season. Madeline noted how seeing the officers welcome and interact with Macon warmed her heart.
“To see complete strangers do something like that for my children just to brighten our day a little bit, it was just so sweet,” Madeline said. “We are truly so blessed (from the community’s support).”
Madeline and her family are residents of Pell City, where they have also received intentional and profuse community support for Macon. The city held a parade welcoming Macon home after he was first discharged from the hospital, and friends of the family made T-shirts and fundraised in support.
“Everyone has been so nice and welcoming (throughout this process),” Madeline said. “When we do anything (for Macon), everyone is just so sweet.”
Madeline concluded by emphasizing that childhood cancer is not as rare as the public thinks, encouraging people to donate to Children’s of Alabama and Smile-A-Mile, a nonprofit supporting families facing childhood cancer.
“Children’s (of Alabama) is outstanding,” Madeline said. “I can’t say enough good things about everyone there.”
While Macon continues to fight against his leukemia, moments like visiting the Pelham Police Department have created the one thing cancer can’t touch: hope.
