MINNEAPOLIS — A visit from Viktor the Viking, a preseason win and doing it all from a field-level turf suite.
Wyatt Crosser, 12, certainly had a lot to celebrate when the Vikings opened their 2025 preseason by hosting the Texans.
The biggest reason he's celebrating, though, is his continued health after defeating high-risk neuroblastoma.
Wyatt and his family received the cancer diagnosis when he was just 5 years old. The middle of three brothers and a naturally energetic child, he'd been demonstrating consistent fatigue that concerned his parents.
Wyatt underwent treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, more than a thousand miles from home. His mother Whitney noted Sloan Ketterling's alternative treatment made the long-distance approach worth it, albeit emotionally and mentally difficult.
Over 18 months, Wyatt underwent chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy and a vaccine trial.
Whitney is incredibly grateful for the support during that time from her employer, U.S. Bank, as well as foundation grants that helped pay for travel and the ability to live at a Ronald McDonald House near the treatment center.
The family also leaned on Children’s Cancer Research Fund, which hosted the Crossers and four other families at Saturday's Vikings game.
"We met Children's Cancer Research Fund when Wyatt was still at Children's Minneapolis [upon initial diagnosis], and they have a project where they come in and do music with the patients," Whitney said. "Wyatt created a song and a music video. … He was really homesick, really missing his brothers, and then to have that [activity] really turned his day around.
"It gave him something to look forward to," Whitney added. "You realize how important hope is when you're in the hospital. Things like that give you hope to get through things, when you see your child can still enjoy stuff, still be a kid when they're in the hospital."
Wyatt and his family have stayed in contact with CCRF over the past seven years, during which he's been able to attend Camp Norden, a program for children who have been impacted by cancer.
"We love Children's Cancer Research Fund," Whitney said.
The Crossers also love the Minnesota Vikings, a beloved pastime for their family that have proven an additional comfort during trying times.
Whitney credits her father for instilling the lifelong fandom. She recalled bringing her young sons to her father's house regularly to all watch Vikings games together.
"The first core memory I have of the kids really [getting into] the Vikings was the Minneapolis Miracle," she said. "I was kind of like, 'Oh, no, the game's over,' and they told me, 'No, Mom. We still have a chance.'
"The catch happened, and it was like, 'Whoa!' " Whitney added, beaming at the memory.
"It's cool to have sports as something to talk about, to bond over. And then hope again — you're hoping through the season. It brings people closer together and gives you a chance to celebrate and have fun, and then you share these memories you have together," she said. "When you're going through a difficult time, you don't always want to dwell on everything that's happened or that you have coming up. Sports [are a way] to take your mind off that and have something joyful to do together."
Whitney smiled at Wyatt — who has never relapsed — as he happily watched Vikings players warm up just in front of him.
The journey was daunting, but the hope for Wyatt's future is so much greater.
"I find myself just looking at him on days like this," Whitney said. "He's grown tall; he's a strong, sturdy kid who plays soccer and looks like the other kids out there on the field.
"To see Wyatt just be a healthy kid is amazing," she continued. "I'll have moments where I'm just like, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe we're here.' And really, it's research that brought us to this point. Wyatt benefited so much from research. … I'm so grateful for everybody that cares, because it's people who care and raise funds and do research in groups like Children's Cancer Research Fund, that's what is making an impact for kids like Wyatt."
