Fletcher McCune is 12 years old and loves to play football. He started with flag football in third grade, but this season is different from any other he's experienced before.

It's an autumn day on a football field and the sounds of the game are everywhere. Fletcher McCune is a lineman, a linebacker, and a fullback. He wants in on every play.

"He's a player every coach would want. He stays after practice and thanks you. You ask him to run through a brick wall, he'll do everything he can to do it," coach Shannon Steelman said.

But, during last season, Fletcher and his family noticed a problem.

"I started getting tired more and bruising real easy. I got the nickname "Peach" because I bruised like a peach," McCune said.

"He is way different than soft. He was one of our hardest hitters last year. He outhit a lot of the sixth graders. He would be bruised up, all up and down his arms. Even where there were pads he had bruises," Shannon Steelman said.

So, Fletcher went to see doctors and the result was not good.

"They gave us two options, Aplastic Anemia or leukemia. My mom needed a chair when she heard that because she was standing up. It was crazy," said McCune.

"I don't remember what I felt, I was just shocked," McCune's father, Shawn Steelman said.

Doctors diagnosed McCune with Aplastic Anemia in May.

"His bone marrow is not producing blood cells or platelets. So, he has no immune system. No oxygen, that's why he was getting sluggish. Not having any of those he would bruise real easily," said Shawn Steelman.

Doctors gave Fletcher a round of chemotherapy in July. They are now looking for bone marrow donors.

"Kind of breathtaking, wasn't sure. Besides being one of my players, he's also my family," Shannon Steelman said.

"Tired. Dizzy. Makes me feel bad I guess," said McCune.

Just like last season, Fletcher is still a captain this year. His teammates dedicate their games to Fletcher.

"It's alright. It's not fun. It's still cool to watch your friends play," said McCune.

"He still goes to the football practices when he can. He goes to the games, but we sit around and play board games now so we're not doing contact," Shawn Steelman said.

Coach Steelman's Southern Boone Eagles learned more than just how to play football. They know the importance of coming back when you take a hit.

"They just know that one of their buddies, one of their teammates can't be out here, but will be as soon as he kicks this thing," Shannon Steelman said.

About 500-1,000 people in the United States develop Aplastic Anemia each year. Treatments include blood transfusions along with blood and marrow stem cell transplants.

For information on being a bone marrow donor you can find information in the links and numbers section of KOMU.com.