Did anyone catch this AMAZING kid on ‘America’s Got Talent’ a few weeks ago?
Tyler Butler-Figueroa — an 11-year-old from North Carolina — absolutely slayed his violin performance during the auditions round of AGT.
What makes Tyler so special is that not only was he diagnosed with leukemia at just 4-years-old, but he was also bullied because of it.
But Tyler got the last laugh, didn’t he?! And in front of national TV!
Understanding Leukemia
Leukemia is cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system.
Many types of leukemia exist. Some forms of leukemia are more common in children. Other forms of leukemia occur mostly in adults.
Leukemia usually involves the white blood cells; which fight infections. But in people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells, which don’t function properly.
Tyler was specifically diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of the rare childhood leukemia. It occurs when a bone marrow cell develops errors in its DNA.
To learn more about leukemia, click here.
From Bullied to Buzzer
Tyler was only 4 when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. According to his mother, who was with Tyler during his performance:
“One day we were out to dinner, and I thought, ‘Something doesn’t look right with Tyler.’ He looked kinda pale. So a mother’s instinct said, let me get him to the emergency room.”
Blood work confirmed her son had cancer. But Tyler fought and persevered. Sometimes, it wasn’t even the cancer that affected it most.
“My hair was coming out, and so kids would make fun of me, and it just made me feel really sad,” said Tyler. “But ever since I started playing the violin, things have changed.”
We all need that lifeline, and the violin was just that for Tyler! Cut to Tyler, making everyone cry and cheer at his amazing violin skills and stage presence; performing Kelly Clarkson’s song ‘Stronger’ in an inspired choice.
It was so moving, legendary grump Simon Cowell automatically advanced him to the show’s live rounds with the dramatic ‘Golden Buzzer.’
But don’t take my word for it! Watch below – and get those tissues ready.
