5-year-old Connor celebrates end of cancer treatment at Smilow Cancer Hospital

One of NBC Connecticut’s youngest fans and his family celebrated a major milestone Friday as he rang the bell at Smilow Cancer Hospital, marking the end of his cancer treatment.

Five-year-old Connor was surrounded by cheers and emotion as he walked into the hospital’s Healing Garden to ring the bell. He also had his port removed.

“This day is very emotional, but a very great day to celebrate Connor ringing the bell, his getting his port removed, and the end of his treatment,” his mother, Katie Ellis, said. “Just a great full-circle day for us.”

Connor was diagnosed with cancer when he was 18 months old. His father, Brett Egan, said he first noticed something was wrong while giving his son a bath.

“Mid-bath, he got these little spots all over — it looked like someone took pepper and poured it all over his legs,” Egan said.

Connor began treatment in 2023, and that’s when NBC Connecticut first met him.

During a Closer to Free story that July, his family told us the then-2-year-old was a huge fan of NBC Connecticut meteorologist Bob Maxon.

“Bob has been a part of our lives for a very long time. He was one of the first words he could say,” Ellis said. “We’d watch Bob every morning on the news.”

Maxon spent an afternoon with Connor in pediatric oncology that year. Three years and one month later, he was there again to celebrate as Connor finished treatment.

Connor’s family said the journey wasn’t easy and included a 20-day hospital stay for treatment.

“It had days where it was really easy and days where it was tough,” Egan said.

Dr. Stephanie Massaro, with the Pediatric Leukemia Program at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, said cancer treatment can be incredibly difficult for children and their families.

“It is incredibly difficult for the children and their families to navigate this, which is why we work very hard to support the children and their families,” Massaro said.

Connor’s family said the hospital staff supported them every step of the way. Now, after years of treatment, they are celebrating a 5-year-old who can get back to being a kid.

“Fabulous, absolutely fabulous,” Massaro said. “This is a win, and we like to celebrate our wins.”

For Connor’s mom, the emotions of reaching the milestone are still sinking in.

“I’m sure I’ll process this in a day or two, but right now, just thankful and happy, and this is behind us for now,” Ellis said.

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