Fifteen-year-old Kaiser Duchene defies leukemia’s challenges with innovative treatment, allowing him to continue playing golf.

HOUSTON — Some of the most powerful stories at the Texas Children’s Houston Open aren’t just happening on the leaderboard; they’re unfolding just outside the ropes.

At Memorial Park Golf Course, 15-year-old Kaiser Duchene is proving that resilience goes far beyond the game of golf.

The Gene Thomas High School freshman recently earned a spot on the varsity golf team. But just days after that achievement in December, Kaiser received life-changing news: he had been diagnosed with leukemia.

“I wasn’t able to walk at all. I was constantly feeling sick,” Kaiser said.

Despite the diagnosis, Kaiser never lost sight of what he loves most.

“I was upset about it, but I also realized it’s not the end of playing golf,” he said.

Thanks to a specialized treatment plan at Texas Children’s Hospital, Kaiser can continue doing just that. His oncologist, Dr. Matt Willis, helped enroll him in a clinical trial that allows Kaiser to receive chemotherapy through a portable backpack.

The device lets him stay active, limiting hospital visits to just a few times a month instead of daily treatments.

“One of the things we always ask our patients is what sort of things do they like to do outside the hospital, what sort of things do they like to do that makes them who they are,” Willis said. “So of course, golf came up in that conversation, and so him kind of expressing that that was an interest, we started talking about the different periods of treatment that he would have that would be able to allow him to do that, and that was something that he expressed a lot of excitement for.”

Now, Kaiser can carry his treatment with him, even on the course.

“All I do is set it down on the ground and swing with my regular swing,” he said.

The ability to stay active has made a significant difference, both physically and mentally.

“It means a lot because I’m not staying inside,” Kaiser said. “I’m getting sunlight, being able to exercise, being able to do stuff besides staying inside.”

As he watches professional golfers compete this weekend, Kaiser says it motivates him to keep pushing forward.

“I’d rather be outside hitting the driving range and being able to swing the club as much as I can,” he said.

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