Wilmington mural spreads awareness about childhood cancer

Local artist and business owner says the mural is inspired by his daughter, a survivor of leukemia

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — At corner of 2nd and Princess Streets in downtown Wilmington, a mural stands as a reminder. 

“It’s a reminder that sometimes everything isn’t so bad,” artist Bobby Reville said. 

Reville is the co-owner of the bar Tavern Law, located across the street. The piece titled “I Believe in a Cure” is inspired by Reville’s daughter Keegan, who faced her own battle with lymphoblastic leukemia.  

Keegan’s journey started three years ago when she was just 14. At the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Keegan was taken to the ER after she started feeling sick. 

“We went in, and they took her heart rate. Her heart rate was around 170,” Reville said. “The doors opened up, doctors came in, took us back, ran some blood tests, and we found out that she had leukemia.” 

Because of Wilmington’s limited pediatric oncology, Keegan and her family had to travel to NC Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill as many as 4 times a week. 

“I was very lonely,” Keegan recalled. “I really wanted to go to school, I really wanted to see my friends, and see my siblings and my mom at home. Stuff like that.” 

The non-profit Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas stepped in to help by driving the family to appointments, providing food, and even lodging. 

Reville calls it a blessing during a dark time. 

“They were just there to grab our hand and say ‘everything’s going to be okay, and we’re going to get you through this.’ and I think they were kind of the first people to do that,” he said. 

That’s why Reville included a QR code on the mural that links to a donation page for CCP. 

Two years after her diagnosis, Keegan and her family received a call that she was cancer free. 

“It was awesome. You know, tough to talk about, but it was the best day of our life.” Reville said. 

But Keegan wasn’t out of the woods yet. To be in remission permanently, she needed a bone marrow transplant. There’s only about a 20% chance that someone in her immediate family would be eligible to donate. 

Miraculously, Keegan’s little sister Peyton was a perfect match. 

“You know we all just cried happy tears,” Keegan said. 

Now cancer free and at 18 years old, Keegan is applying to colleges. Her top choice? UNC Chapel Hill. 

“I plan on going to med school, and I want to do pediatric oncology,” Keegan said. “I really want to prove to kids and teenagers who are going through the same thing that survivorship is possible and there is hope.” 

Reville added the frame of the mural also lights up at night, representing different cancers throughout the year.  

For February, the mural lights up green for Gallbladder Cancer Awareness Month. 

If you’re interested in donating to Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, you can visit their website. 

For those interested in commissioning Reville for his artwork, you can contact him on Facebook.