Leighton is a 13-year-old from Bismarck. In August of 2010, at the age of four, Leighton was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Leighton responded well to treatment and is continuing to do great today! It was a terrifying time for Leighton and his parents, but the Backhauses were able to use the experience to draw them closer together as a family. Leighton loves fishing and hunting! The past two summers, he has attended camp on Lake Sakakawea with other Brave the Shave Honorees and additional children from the area that have experienced medical trauma. In the future, he would love to be a biologist! He is also an avid student of birds and is able to identify most species he sees and rattle off all of the interesting facts about them. He has a very entrepreneurial way about him and is always dreaming and planning new business ideas. His latest dream is to start a reptile shop.