“Don’t Stop Believin'” Becomes A Song Of Hope For An 11 Year Old

For 11-year-old Eli Belser of Iowa, the fight against cancer has come with a soundtrack.

Eli has been battling stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma since he was first diagnosed at age 4. Over the years, the disease has spread from a tumor near his kidneys to other parts of his body, including his spine, limbs, and skull. His journey recently captured national attention thanks to a simple message of hope built around one of rock’s most enduring anthems: Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Earlier this year, students at Starmont High School in Iowa created a video for Eli using the song as its centerpiece. The effort quickly grew far beyond a single school. Response videos and messages of encouragement poured in from all 50 states and several countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia.

The students said the goal wasn’t fundraising. It was hope.

“Right now, it’s about hope. It’s about morale,” student council vice president Jack Thole told local media. The song choice was especially meaningful because Eli often uses the word “Believe,” with the letters in his first name emphasized in the middle: “bELIeve.”

Eli’s mother, Katie Belser, says the videos have made a real difference. On difficult days, she says a new message of support can lift his spirits and give him something positive to focus on.

What is the remarkable wave of encouragement inspired by a song written more than four decades ago that continues to live up to its title.

Don’t stop believin’!

Doug O’Brien