Texas mother’s instincts saves teen son from rare, aggressive cancer

MONTGOMERY, Texas — A Texas mother’s instincts uncovered her son’s rare blood cancer—Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia just in time to save his life.

Mother helps uncover rare cancer

Last May, Leslie Holts noticed blood spots inside her son Phillip Raglin’s mouth. The 18-year-old had just graduated from Montgomery High School and was preparing to play college football in Los Angeles. But before his big move, Holts spotted a bruise on his arm. Alarmed, she rushed him to the emergency room.

Rare blood cancer diagnosis:  Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)

Doctors diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)—a rare and aggressive subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. APL causes immature white blood cells to build up in the bone marrow, crowding out healthy cells and disrupting normal blood clotting. Without treatment, even minor injuries can trigger fatal bleeding.

“If we hadn’t gone that day, even a paper cut could’ve been deadly,” Holts told KHOU 11.

Treatment

Phillip was transferred immediately to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he began intensive chemotherapy. APL treatment typically includes all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO), a combination that has transformed survival rates. Once considered fatal, APL is now one of the most curable forms of leukemia when caught early.

Warning signs and symptoms

Phillip’s symptoms, mouth bleeding, bruising, and fatigue, are common warning signs. Holts hopes their story encourages other parents to act quickly when something feels off.

“Don’t ignore small signs,” she said. “A bruise, a spot—anything unusual. It could mean something serious.”

Ongoing support

During his recovery, Phillip leaned on his teammates and received a visit from Texans wide receiver John Metchie III, who also survived leukemia. Now in remission, Phillip continues follow-up care and hopes to return to football and college once treatment ends in eight months.

GoFundMe

Meanwhile, the family faces mounting medical bills. Loved ones launched a GoFundMe campaign titled “Support Phillip Raglin’s Fight Against Leukemia” to help ease the financial burden.

“Phillip lights up every room,” the fundraiser reads. “He’s a natural athlete, a fierce competitor, and a giant teddy bear with a heart of gold.”

APL affects a small percentage of leukemia patients, often striking young adults. Early diagnosis is critical. Survivors must attend regular follow-ups to monitor for relapse, which occurs in 5–10% of cases, per Cleveland Clinic.

Phillip’s journey highlights the power of maternal intuition, and the urgent need for community support. As Holts put it, “I acted fast. That’s why my son is still here.”

To donate or learn more, visit Phillip’s GoFundMe page here.