Nikki and Lonny Chapman, alongside their older son Eli, found themselves navigating the bustling corridors of the Carnival Cruise Line, not as mere vacationers but as a family on a pilgrimage—a journey to connect with their beloved son Cooper, who had left them too soon. Their purpose was deeply personal: to see Cooper’s shimmering sea turtle artwork now displayed on the ship, a tribute to a boy whose spirit still shines vividly.
Cooper, a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® patient, died in 2021 at the age of 12, but his presence remains alive and palpable through his art. Nikki recalls the powerful moment when they stood before the artwork, remembering the day Cooper sat painting sea turtles at St. Jude with his father. The vibrant piece, alive with sequins and color, is part of Carnival’s ongoing display of St. Jude patients’ creativity, celebrating the spirit of these courageous children. “Knowing Carnival didn’t forget Cooper meant so much to our family,” Nikki shares.
Cooper’s fascination with sea turtles began at age 7, inspired by a video about a sea turtle hospital in Marathon, Florida. Entranced by their ancient lineage and tenacity, Cooper peppered his family with questions, learning about their resilience—how even with injuries or amputation of a flipper, sea turtles could return to the ocean and thrive. For Cooper, mere videos weren’t enough; he longed to experience the turtles firsthand.
So, the Chapmans embarked on a memorable journey to the Florida Keys, led by their adventurous 7-year-old, to meet these majestic creatures and contribute to conservation efforts. “Cooper loved it,” Nikki says with fondness. Cancer, still two years away from diagnosis, did not deter Cooper from dreaming big and embracing life’s adventures.
That diagnosis came unexpectedly in early 2018, when while cheering at a basketball game, Lonny noticed an unusual solidity in Cooper’s right arm. No pain, no complaints—a father’s intuition noticed something amiss. Medical tests confirmed rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissues. Worse, the cancer had spread from his arm to lymph nodes, pancreas, and spine. Standard treatments offered limited hope.
The family sought a referral to St. Jude in Memphis to enroll Cooper in a clinical trial, hopeful for innovative care. At St. Jude, Cooper began an intensive regimen of chemotherapy and proton beam radiotherapy. To share updates and rally support, the Chapmans created “Cooper’s Army,” an online community symbolized by a turtle shell logo representing Cooper’s shield against life’s challenges.
Care packages filled with sea turtle stuffed animals arrived at St. Jude’s mailroom, gifts from friends and strangers alike. Cooper, a protector of turtles, was now surrounded and protected by them in his hospital journey.
Cooper’s learning style wasn’t traditional. With dyslexia and dysgraphia, he excelled kinetically—engaging through movement and hands-on experiences. He loved soccer, building Lego creations with brother Eli, especially crafting elaborate military and Star Wars battles. His curiosity drove him to watch scientist Mark Rober’s videos and explore nature with mud and bugs.
“Nikki says Cooper was all boy—bugs, frogs, mud—but maybe not as much snakes,” a humorous reminder of his vibrant personality. For Cooper, St. Jude was a world of discovery. He viewed diagnosis and treatment as science experiments, fascinated by seeing his tumor under the microscope or learning about radiation from engineers.
“St. Jude ensured Cooper was as comfortable as possible,” Nikki said. On his first day as an inpatient, a nurse casually asked his favorite meal. Pork chops and broccoli were his answer. Soon, the cafeteria called to season his meal just right—a little kick, reflecting his love of cooking as science.
Cooper’s passion for food manifested in creative culinary experiments at home, seasoning dishes with whatever ingredients were on hand and explaining recipes as science experiments to staff and family.
St. Jude became Cooper’s safe, happy place, a second home where staff became family. He forged a playful bond with a cafeteria worker who secretly slipped jalapeños into his dad’s salad, adding spice and laughter to their days.
Cooper’s social circle expanded in St. Jude housing, where he and five other boys forming “Battle Buddies” supported each other through sickness and recovery, embodying the deep love and friendship St. Jude fosters.
Nikki reflects that witnessing such love and care was transformative, believing the world would be better if more people saw what happens at St. Jude.
Cooper’s artistic expression thrived during special events, like a Carnival Cruise Line art party where he created the sea turtle painting. This event connected Cooper’s love for turtles with his creative spirit and the ocean’s beauty.
Carnival’s partnership with St. Jude, ongoing since 2010, has raised over $33 million with a goal of $50 million by 2030 to support the hospital’s mission. Through fun onboard events like “Groove for St. Jude,” passengers contribute to the cause.
The Chapman family’s cruise, planned around Eli’s 18th birthday by their Carnival “fairy godmother,” was full of thoughtful details—a chance to celebrate Cooper’s life amidst warm remembrance.
Eli, as a DJ on the ship, the special access to behind-the-scenes ship tours, and private dinners with the captain exemplified their unique experience, joining memories of snorkeling with sea turtles, symbolic of Cooper’s enduring presence.
Back home, the Chapmans welcomed a beagle pit mix puppy named Bo, then a border doodle named Memphis, the city where St. Jude resides. Memphis brings them comfort, reminding them of Cooper’s spirit with his brown, human-like eyes and love of mud.
Nikki holds tight to the gift of time St. Jude gave her family—three more precious years with Cooper. In gratitude, they give back, hosting Lego drives and mentoring families who face similar losses.
Eli says sharing Cooper’s journey helps keep his brother’s spirit alive. The Carnival cruise was a chapter of remembrance and healing.
Nikki concludes, “Cooper’s story is not over. We want every opportunity to push his legacy forward—because that’s how he lives on.”
