Meet Cecilia
Cecilia is a kind, beautiful, and silly 6 year old girl. She loves to swim, dance, dress-up, sing and be with her family. Throughout the month of August 2018, Cecilia had recurrent fevers, some mild abdominal and arm pain. She was evaluated by her pediatrician, had blood work done and received antibiotics for a suspected infection. A week later, two hours into her first day of kindergarten, she developed another fever. We called her pediatrician again and were advised to go to the Emergency Department at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children for further evaluation. After an intensive battery of tests, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). She spent 15 days on 3 East having a bone marrow biopsy, lumbar puncture, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, steroids, antibiotics, and chemotherapy.
As you can imagine, this diagnosis was heart-breaking news. Our lives were instantly turned upside down. The care we have received at A.I. duPont has been excellent. The staff have consistently been supportive on a personal level, sharing our tears and laughter. They have truly treated our child as if she were their own. Cecilia has completed her intensive phase of treatment and will continue in maintenance for the next 18 months. She says she feels well and is looking forward to returning to school and dance this fall to reunite with her friends and classmates. The strength, courage, and faith of this little girl have been remarkable to witness. She truly is our superhero.
Meet Edward
On May 25, 2018, Edward was 10 years old and was diagnosed with Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm. BPDCN is a rare form of leukemia that is more common in older men. Edward is the first pediatric case to be seen at Nemours A.I. duPont Hospital for Children. His treatments have included high dose steroids and chemotherapy. The different chemotherapy medicines were difficult for Edward to endure and he spent many nights inpatient, suffering from painful and scary side effects.
Today, he continues to receive treatments, but the side effects are less intense. Edward loves animals and enjoys quizzing the doctors and nurses on animal facts. He is excited to complete treatment in September 2021 when he will be able to get a pet chameleon which is his favorite animal.
Meet Nathan
Nathan is an amazing, strong, funny, little boy. He was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at 8 years old. Despite the obstacles he has to face, Nathan never lets cancer get the best of him and goes every day with a smile on his face. Nathan is in remission and continues to navigate side effects from the chemotherapy as a true superhero.
Meet Taylor
Taylor is a vibrant, happy 9 year old who loves to travel, shop and spend time with her family. The third grader lives with Sickle Cell Disease that was diagnosed via a newborn screen conducted at birth. The joy of Taylor’s arrival quickly turned to fear and uncertainty for us as we started on our journey to learn how to navigate the healthcare system in search of the best ways to care for her needs.
Over the past 9 years, Taylor has endured numerous hospitalizations fraught with bouts of excruciating pain and life threatening illnesses, a consistent regimen of medication, restrictions on her activities and the constant threat of more possible complications associated with her condition. The journey has not been an easy one but with the help and dedication of the staff at Nemours, we have never felt alone. Through it all, Taylor remains a fighter, intent on doing everything like other children her age, with a fearless spirit and a beautiful smile. She is truly a ‘HERO’!
Meet Riley
Riley is an amazingly brave, outspoken, energetic 7 year old girl. Last year, on the weekend before Easter, Riley was complaining of intense hip pain. The pain intensified so much that she could no longer walk. We took her to Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children that afternoon.
After many blood tests she was diagnosed with very high risk Pre B Cell ALL. She had leukemia. She spent 21 days in the hospital receiving intense chemotherapy before she could go home, with the stipulation of returning for weekly treatment and chemotherapy.
She missed an entire year of school due to being immunocompromised, but was finally able to join her 1st grade class again for the first time a few short weeks ago.
She has about 2 years remaining in her treatment where she will receive chemotherapy in her spine, nightly chemotherapy at home, and steroids for 5 days a month. Throughout the duration of her treatment she has remained positive. She wakes up each morning with a zest for life and a determination to take on the day. She has endured so much, but can still always be found with a smile on her face. We are so amazed by her bravery and perseverance. She is our hero everyday.
Meet Victoria
Victoria (17) is a determined and inspiring teen fighting metastatic osteosarcoma since Dec 2014. Despite a left below-the-knee amputation, four thoracotomies, chemotherapy, and cyber knife radiation Victoria swims on swim teams, learned to surf, learned to ski, joined a sled hockey team, and ran track. Her “fancy foot” does not slow her down. Victoria enjoys spending time with her friends and sisters shopping and singing karaoke. Victoria created a poster on her first admission that immediately became her statement “Let’s Kill the Cancer!”.