BELLEVILLE — A local family is facing an extraordinary challenge as their 13-year-old son, Richard Mothersell, battled two rare cancers simultaneously and died recently, prompting a community call for support.
Richard Michael Mothersell, 13, of Belleville, was born on February 13, 2012, in Belleville, and he died on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
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Richard, diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, in April 2023, underwent an intense treatment regimen including 13 cycles of chemotherapy and 42 rounds of proton radiation. He was declared cancer-free in November 2023. However, routine PET scans every six weeks revealed a small tumor on his spine in September 2024, which was deemed untreatable at the time. Subsequent scans in January showed the cancer had spread.
Further testing revealed that Richard was also suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a rare blood cancer in children, which presented with tumors called myeloid sarcoma. This combination of cancers has been documented only three times in medical history. The AML was linked to previous chemotherapy and possible environmental factors, according to his mother, Tera Mothersell.
Richard spent over two months at St. Louis Children's Hospital, including a stay in the pediatric intensive care unit after a medical complication.
A recent PET scan showed extensive Ewing sarcoma tumors from his hips to his neck, including large tumors pressing on his spinal cord near his heart and stomach.
The family’s story highlights the challenges faced by children with rare and aggressive cancers and the ongoing need for community support, following his tragic death.
For those wishing to assist, donations can be made via:
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/410bc0d2
