DES MOINES, Iowa — It was an unlikely best friend pairing when JJ Kohl and Willy Phipps shared their story with Local 5 News two years ago: one of the top high school football players in the nation, inseparable from a 3-year-old living with Down syndrome and battling cancer.
Two years later, their friendship has grown stronger and as they each reach life milestones, they continue to celebrate each other.
Willy, now 5 years old, still has the charm that won over Iowans when the two shared their story. His mother, Leah Phipps, sees why he’s so loved.
"We’ve had such an incredible support group," she said.
At every turn, there’s someone making sure Willy is looked after. But his circle is never complete without his best friend, JJ.
"I just see him and I just see such a powerful young little guy who is so happy and full of joy," JJ said.
In 2022, the Ankeny High School superstar quarterback and gentle giant headed to Iowa State to play football and the 3-year-old spark plug who had no quit in him captured the hearts of Iowans.
JJ started raising money to fight childhood cancer in Willy’s honor. With a friend like that, Willy never went at it alone through the years.
"Every break we have, we’ve tried to see them or see Willy whether it’s for a couple hours, a couple minutes, whatever it is. It’s really a priority to see him whenever we can," JJ explained.
The moms, Leah and Charlene Kohl, they get it. They understand why the friendship works and continues to blossom.
"It’s neat to see when your adult children are making good choices in terms of investing in other people and pouring into other people. We’re seeing that today in how well they connect," Charlene said.
"It really is a fun relationship. It’s just sweet. There’s just like an innocence to it that I just love to watch. I watched it develop and him come and take time from his busy life at Iowa State to come visit us at the hospital," Leah said.
From Ankeny's football field to Iowa State’s gridiron, JJ and Willy continue sharing each other’s worlds.
"He was up there for practice. He met a bunch of players and the coaches. I think he got a picture with Coach Campbell as well," JJ said.
"Those coaches, they live it out as well and are examples to these young men and so JJ sees that on a daily basis," said Charlene.
They're two inseparable friends who lift each other up, so it's only right that on Willy’s biggest day, JJ is alongside his best friend at UnityPoint Health — Blank Children’s Hospital as Willy finally gets to ring the bell, marking the end of his treatment.
"Thank you all so very much for being here and being a part of the journey. We are just so appreciative of how much you loved him as much as we loved him," Leah told the room full of family and friends.
"This is really Willy’s day and this has been a long time coming and it’s been fun to follow him on his journey and be with him. I’m just really happy for him and his family and everyone here who’s involved. It’s a big day for him and I'm really happy for him," JJ added.
Years of hospitals, doctors and chemo was never Willy’s gameplan. But he has the team to win regardless of the challenges.
"Just looking forward to not having treatment anymore and him getting to live like a 5-year-old again," said Leah.
With treatments now done, Willy's family is at Disney World and will be in Florida for a week.
JJ said this is a friendship he’s going to hold onto for a lifetime.