Will's Story

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William Michael Irwin came into this world on Monday, October 1st at Saint Joseph Hospital to this proud parents, Mike and Joanna Irwin. He was the much anticipated first child to Mike and Joanna, fourth grandchild to Brian and Annette Burley, and the first grandson, third grand-child to Jim and Nanci Irwin. Will was born into a family that had waited a long time for him and loved him so much.

Will was an adorable, sweet newborn baby. His mom, dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends photographed his cute face about 100 times/day. Joanna and Mike couldn’t get enough of their cuddly little boy and creating memories together as a family. Will was born just in time for holiday season. He was an elephant for Halloween, and his family doted on him at Thanksgiving and Christmas parties. 

In early January, Mike, Joanna, and Will enjoyed a wonderful vacation with family and friends in Cabo San Lucas. They especially enjoyed their little boy who loved swims in the pool with mom and dad between naps. Mike spent every morning with Will in his lap watching the sun rise in Cabo.

Upon returning from Mexico, Joanna brought Will to CHOC because a previously discovered bump on the side of Will’s head began rapidly growing, and Will was becoming increasingly fussy. Blood tests and CT Scans confirmed the devastating news that Will had cancer. 

Will’s Neurosurgeon, Michael Muhonen biopsied the tumor on Will’s head and sent it to pathologists for testing. Will’s team of Oncologists including Dr. Elyssa Rubin and Dr. Ashley Plant started Will on chemotherapy for neuroblastoma based on preliminary pathology results. 

Despite concerns over the side effects of chemotherapy, brave Will handled chemo like a champion. Several days after Will’s biopsy, pathologists at CHOC and other hospitals around the country including Dr. Raj Venkatramani, Director of Rare Tumors at Texas Children’s Hospital, agreed that Will’s tumors were not neuroblastoma but a rare form of cancer that began in the adrenal glands. Will’s cancer is still undiagnosed today. 

Between rounds of chemo, Joanna and Mike brought Will home and cuddled their baby. Will loved walks in his stroller along the sidewalks in Corona Del Mar—rain or shine! He grew to love the book Pout-Pout Fish, which his mom read to him every day. Will enjoyed wearing his Angels hat watching the baseball games oh his dad’s lap. However, Will’s favorite daily routine was bath time. He loved to soak in the bath, kicking his feet in the water. Even with Will’s central line covered in plastic wrap to keep it sterile, Joanna made sure Will got his bath every day.

Our Hero Will had many trials and tribulations during his battle with cancer. He endured six rounds of chemotherapy, including immunotherapy, and all the side effects that accompany these treatments. He has seven surgeries (four in his brain, he spent over 80 days in the hospital, and he had innumerable MRIs, CT Scans, X-Rays, Ultrasounds, etc. Between procedures, surgeries and chemo, Will cuddled his mom and dad for comfort. He slept in a “big-boy” hospital bed, so that his mom and dad could take turns sleeping beside him every night. 

Before he went to heaven to be with Jesus, Warrior Will had a wonderful week with his parents—full of smiles and laughs. On May 31, 2019, Will peacefully passed away in his favorite place— the embrace of his mom and dad.