Howie Mandel Opens Up About Grandson Axel's Leukemia Battle and Triumph in Remission

EXCLUSIVE: Howie Mandel Opens Up About Grandson's Private Battle with Leukemia, Revealing the Emotional Toll on His Family

In a candid and emotional conversation, TV personality Howie Mandel joined his daughter Jackelyn Schultz on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast to discuss their family's private struggle with leukemia. The 69-year-old America's Got Talent judge shared the heartbreaking story of his nine-year-old grandson Axel's diagnosis and journey to remission.

Axel's battle began after a trip to Hawaii, where he was diagnosed with leukemia. Within 24 hours, he started undergoing chemotherapy, followed by a bone marrow transplant from his older sister. Although the young boy is currently in remission and "doing well," Howie admitted that the journey has been a long and difficult one for their family.

"It's been three, four years, and it's still a struggle," Howie confessed. "He doesn't have an immune system, so he can't go to school. He's doing well, but we're just trying to build up his immune system."

Jackelyn, who is Howie's eldest child and mother of Axel and his sister Abbey, added that there is more to battling cancer than just treatment. "There's so much more than just treatment," she explained. "There are the emotional tolls, the financial strain... it's a whole different world when you're dealing with something like this."

The family has faced their fair share of negativity and criticism from strangers who don't understand their situation. Jackelyn shared that she was shamed for wearing a mask while filming her father's podcast, with some viewers accusing her of being "anti-social" or having "politics-related issues." However, she revealed that the real reason behind her decision to wear a mask was to protect herself and others from getting sick.

"You'd be surprised how many people think they know what you're going through," Jackelyn said, her voice filled with frustration. "They have no idea that we're just trying to navigate this complex situation... and all they care about is their own opinions."

The family has kept a low profile during Axel's treatment, but Howie has been open about the emotional toll it's taken on him. In an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, he gushed about being a grandfather, saying, "Grandchildren, had I known it was this good and this much fun, I would've done that first." However, he also acknowledged the difficulties of dealing with a family member's illness.

Howie and his wife Terry have three children: Jackelyn, Riley, and son Alex. They are also grandparents to one-year-old Noa, who was welcomed by their daughter Riley last year. The couple has been candid about the joys of being grandparents, but also the challenges that come with it.

As Howie prepares to celebrate his 70th birthday on November 29, he's also gearing up for a milestone season of America's Got Talent. Although he was absent from the show last week due to family obligations, he made a triumphant return this week, sporting a stylish outfit complete with colorful stripes on the side.

The family is expected to face more challenges in the coming months, but they're determined to stay strong and supportive of each other. As Jackelyn put it, "We're just trying to take things one day at a time... and hope that Axel's health continues to improve."

The Season 20 finale of America's Got Talent airs on September 24, but in the meantime, Howie and his family will continue to navigate their private struggles with courage and resilience.