Eldridge boy named Iowa kid captain vs. Michigan State

ELDRIDGE, Iowa (KWQC) – Hudson Ferris is a 12 year-old boy whose loved the Hawkeyes since he was born.

Ferris’s life changed when he was 9 years-old.

“Hudson was diagnosed with stage four higher risk neuroblastoma, which is a pediatric cancer,” said Traci Ferris, Hudson’s mom. “So he was having like lots of pain and fatigue and like symptoms that we couldn’t quite wrap our arms around. After several testing here in the Quad Cities, it was determined that there was something going on, and they sent us to immediately the next day, to the 11th floor of the Children’s Hospital, which is the cancer center.”

Ferris was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in July of 2021. His journey went on for 18 months in three different hospitals.

“So we actually did five rounds of chemotherapy and surgery at University of Iowa,” said Traci Ferris. “Then we were actually transferred to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where Hudson underwent to back to back stem cell transplants. From there, we went to the Mayo Clinic for 12 rounds of radiation, and then back to Stead for five rounds of immunotherapy. You know, Iowa is home, and that’s where we really wanted to be.”

Ferris was selected to be an Iowa kid captain this year in the game against Michigan State.

“They showed us all the locker rooms and the other team’s locker room, and it was like, all pink,” said Hudson Ferris, Iowa kid captain. “Then we went into the actual locker room, and they gave us, like, a football, a jersey, and a poster.”

His mom, Traci Ferris says Kids’ Day at Kinnick was special for Hudson.

“The players that you know, Kids’ Day at Kinnick just went out of their way to make Hudson feel so supported and so cared for, and we will be true Hawkeye fans for life,” said Traci Ferris.

Ferris has been cancer free for a year and a half and says he’s feeling good.

“He showed his toughness, perseverance, determination, to get through it, and we are just so incredibly proud of him,” said Traci Ferris. “You know, we look back, and we all went through a lot, but he definitely went through a lot, and so we’re just super happy he’s cancer free and living his best life.”

The Ferris family will be hosting a watch party for the game against Michigan State.

The Hawkeyes take on the Spartans on Saturday in East Lansing. Kick off is set at 6:30 p.m.

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