‘Landon Day’ honors first grader who beat cancer

Feb 18, 2022

All of Quinn Elementary School joined together on Thursday, Feb. 17 to celebrate the bravery and wellness of their classmate and friend, Landon Guile, a six-year-old boy who is now cancer-free.

In observance of “Landon Day,” students and teachers schoolwide were encouraged to wear pajamas, the halls were decorated with balloons, banners, and Star Wars-themed encouragements, and Landon’s class got to spend the day doing all of his favorite things.

The event was conceived by Landon’s first grade teacher, Anne Realini.

“It started with his classroom teacher [Mrs. Realini] who really wanted to make this special for him,” said Quinn School Assistant Principal Audra Thomas. “She wanted to make it schoolwide so everyone could show their support.”

To start the day, Landon received a certificate of bravery and several Dartmouth police officers came to his class to wish him well and give him a stuffed tiger and a police badge sticker.

Realini also presented him with a book, “The Force is Strong with Landon,” in which each of his classmates drew their own page dedicated to their courageous friend.

Later in the day, the children in Landon’s class made slime and Baby Yoda puppets, ate a snack of Landon’s favorites — Double Stuf Oreos and pretzel sticks — and watched one of his favorite movies.

“I just thought he should have an over the top day to celebrate how brave and strong he’s been,” Realini said. “We’re going to do fun things from the moment they come in till the moment they leave.”

Realini said that she checked with Landon before planning the day to make sure it would be okay to have a celebration for him, and he responded with excitement and enthusiasm. And when the day was over, he even wrote her a card thanking her for the experience.

“I really enjoyed what you did for me,” it read. 

Landon said later that his favorite part of the day was when they made slime and he made the whole class laugh by pouring in the whole package of baking powder instead of a measured spoonful.

He also recalled how excited he felt as he arrived that morning to find the whole school lining the halls to greet him and clap him in.

Landon’s battle with cancer started when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in December 2019 at just four years old.

“He’s had to go through something that no child should have to, but he kept on going,” said Realini.

With the help of doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital, Landon went into remission the following month, but that was not the end of his recovery.

Landon was put on a two year course of treatment to help keep his cancer from coming back, making trips back to the hospital every three weeks until his final visit last month.

“He is a very brave kid,” said Landon’s mom, Amy Guile. “He went through treatment like a champion. He never complained about it, even when it was really tough for him.”

Landon’s parents thanked the school Nurse, Melanie Franzese, who let Landon’s friends come and hangout with him when he had to come in to get his temperature checked each morning.

“He had his own little Breakfast Club,” said Landon’s father Jamie Guile.

Amy and Jamie said that they are thrilled that Landon’s treatment is now over, but some of their anxiety has remained.

“It’s definitely a relief, but it was hard,” said Jamie. “There’s always the thought in the back of your mind, ‘what if it comes back?’ But every day is a little bit better.”

Soon the family will take another step back toward normal life as they plan a trip to Disney World that has been years in the making.

Landon’s parents said that they had been planning a trip to the theme park since before his diagnosis, but had to put the idea on pause while Landon got treatment.

Now that he’s been given the all clear, the trip is scheduled for April when they will plan to spend a whole week celebrating with their healthy son.

Landon, a big Disney and Star Wars fan, said he is very excited for the trip and is especially looking forward to getting his own Lightsaber. 

For now though, Landon and his parents were simply grateful for the outpouring of support that the school community brought forth on “Landon Day.”

“Everyone has been amazing,” Amy said. “Today has been amazing.”