LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- According to national health estimates, hundreds of thousands of Americans hear the words “you have cancer” every year, beginning a journey that can test emotional strength, physical endurance and the support systems surrounding them.
For military families, those challenges are often faced while balancing the demands of service, deployments and daily responsibilities. Yet, in the middle of the hardship, stories of resilience, family support and unwavering commitment continue to emerge, reminding others that even during life’s hardest battles, no one fights alone.
That reality became deeply personal for Tech. Sgt. Zerrick Haymond, his wife, Tech. Sgt. Crystal Haymond, and their young daughter, Cerriah Haymond. In August 2024, Crystal received a call confirming her cancer diagnosis that would alter the lives of her family in ways they never expected.
“Getting the call, being at work, I went straight into panic, devastation mode,” Crystal said. “It was definitely fear, fear of the unknown, not only for me, but for my family as well.”
The call marked the second cancer diagnosis Crystal would face during her 17-year Air Force career. In the days that followed, she and her family quickly shifted from processing the news to preparing for the fight ahead.
“What stands out for me the most is when she received that call and how much of a gut punch it was for myself, and I know for her,” Zerrick said. “From a spouse’s and best friend’s standpoint, it became, ‘What do we do next?’ We knew we needed to jump into action and figure out how we were going to face this.”
Her military experience played a key role in handling the initial shock, helping her rely on discipline, structure and the support system around her.
“You’re used to having things thrown at you and having to figure it out right then and there,” Crystal said. “But with that is knowing that you're not alone.”
Throughout the experience, the couple said support from coworkers and military leadership became a critical source of strength.
“There's so many people behind the scenes that are working for me,” Crystal said. “All I have to do is show up, and I want to continue to do that, to make them proud of the hard work that they've done to make sure my family and I get through this.”
From offering encouragement to helping ease daily responsibilities, that support allowed them to focus on treatment, recovery and navigating the uncertainty ahead.
“I leaned on them and they gave me the will to do what I need to take care of my family, so I'm forever grateful for that,” Zerrick said.
That support also allowed the family to remain focused on being present for their 5-year-old daughter, Cerriah. At a time when much of their attention was centered on appointments and the unknowns ahead, the consistency of home life helped keep them grounded.
It was within those everyday moments that Cerriah began stepping into a role neither parent expected but deeply relied upon.
In ways far beyond her years, she became a steady source of comfort and encouragement for her mother, reminding Crystal to eat healthy meals, get enough rest and even help change bandages during recovery.
While Crystal and Zerrick worked to remain strong for their daughter, they quickly realized Cerriah was doing everything she could to remain strong for them.
“She made sure I stayed moving, and that I had my snacks whenever I went to the doctor,” Crystal said. “She'll tell me, ‘Mom, you got to do this. You got to eat this, so you can stay strong like me.’”
Stemming from her own love of fruits and vegetables, Cerriah makes sure her mom stays on track.
“She eats broccoli and carrots and rice, she eats greens too,” Cerriah said. “That makes her feel better.”
Beyond helping her mom stay healthy, Cerriah also understood the importance of giving Crystal time to rest after treatments, knowing it meant they could continue spending time together playing princesses once she felt better.
“We don't give kids enough credit for understanding,” Zerrick said. “So that's one of the things we try to do. We try to explain to her about things that go on in life.”
That perspective eventually led Zerrick to become a published author, writing a children’s book inspired by Cerriah’s role in her mother’s journey.
After receiving so much support from those around them, the family wanted to give back to others that may be facing similar circumstances. Through the project, they hope to help families and children find understanding and comfort through shared experiences. It also gave Zerrick an opportunity to show his daughter the impact she has had on their story.
While the experience inspired new ways for the family to support others, it also reshaped how they view life and the time they share together.
“My perspective and my views on life have definitely changed,” Crystal said. “I’m more focused on making memories and holding on to them, that's what definitely gets me through this.”
Those memories, she said, have become closely tied to her determination to keep going.
“It’s not in my DNA to quit,” she said. “That's why I can wake up, walk around with a smile on my face, go through chemo once every three weeks, and continue to push and fight because I have a reason to be here.”
Even as treatment continues, the family remains focused on making the most of their time together. Whether through everyday moments at home, or trips and adventures taken whenever possible, they continue to face each challenge as a united front while creating memories along the way.
Through hardship and uncertainty, the Haymonds have leaned on strength, resilience, and each other, proving that even in the most difficult moments, family remains their greatest source of courage, both in and out of uniform.