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Aiden’s Joy

In the months before Aiden’s diagnosis, something just didn’t feel right. Once a thriving and energetic toddler, he began to show signs that, at first, seemed minor—but his parents knew better. It was the end of the COVID era, and Aiden, who had rarely been ill, suddenly came down with two back-to-back upper respiratory infections. … Read more

Mighty Joey

“Her bloodwork is consistent with Leukemia” the six words that changed our lives forever. In November 2020, in the middle of the covid pandemic, I brought my generally just not feeling well 6-year-old Joey to her pediatrician’s office. As my third child, I assumed maybe it was strep throat, and we would be on our … Read more

Giza’s Story

When‬‭ Giza‬‭ was‬‭ born in 2012‬‭ she‬‭ was‬‭ admitted to‬‭ the‬‭ neonatal‬‭ intensive‬‭ care‬‭ unit‬‭ due‬‭ to‬‭ birth complications–a harbinger for the many health issues she would face in her childhood.‬ Tragically‬‭, before she even turned one,‬‭ Giza‬‭ was‬‭ diagnosed‬‭ with‬‭ bilateral‬‭ retinoblastoma, a cancer in the eyes.‬‭ Scans showed that this little baby girl … Read more

Gabriel’s Story

When Gabriel was just four years old, in 2016, his mom, Rachel, noticed an unusual discolored lump on his body during bathtime. Gabe didn’t know how it came to be so Rachel contacted his pre-school and father to ask if he had hurt himself at any point. No one had seen Gabe get injured or … Read more

The Hanson Family

Isabella Hanson–sweet little Izzy–was born on November 23rd, 2018. Her mom and dad, Laura and Josh, and her big sister, Nia, were simply in love. Life was good and simple at the start. Nia, a talented dancer, had several classes a week. As a toddler, Izzy would watch her big sister in awe. One day, … Read more

The Danoff-Storcks

When you make the decision to have children, the moment they take their first breath they are in your care. You want to protect them, do everything you can to keep them safe, put them in bubble wrap

The Velez-Rivera Family

Dylan’s mom told us, “As a mother we have senses that are hard to explain. I always knew from the beginning that something wasn’t right.

Princess & Madison

Maddie is a marvel–it’s unquestionable. This girl’s smile beamed as soon as she arrived at the retreat. She was the oldest of the group, yet, she got right in there with the younger kids to throw water balloons, paddle a kayak, ride a horse, hold a snake, or show off her incredible acrobatic skills.

Erica & Josie

Erica has this advice for the caregivers of children with cancer, “Find other families in the cancer community and tell each other your stories. There is strength is hearing what others have been though.”

Maximus Strength

One of the hardest moments came in May of 2018, when they received the phone call that Max had relapsed. The oncologist called, somber and apologetic… “I’m sorry Sarah, it’s back, there’s three new tumors and we suspect there’s more.”