In May of 2020 my family was hit with the scariest news we never could have imagined. My cousin Mila, only 9 at the time, was told she had cancer. T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, to be exact. The lives of my aunt, uncle, and cousins changed dramatically as their only focus was on getting Mila through this. She was amazingly brave and strong. She never complained about how terrible and unfair everything was for her during the next 2+ years. The constant hospital stays, all the needles and meds she had to endure, losing her hair, how physically exhausted and sick she felt- Nope, she always saw the positive even during the worst. She didn’t complain about not getting to go anywhere, hang out in person with her friends, or celebrate holidays like normal. She embraced the virtual world because it meant she still got to socialize but was safe at home, away from all the little germ bugs that the rest of us wouldn’t even realize we had caught but would result in an emergency rush to the hospital for her.

My cousin fought hard to get better, terrifying us all with how sick she got several times, and while it wasn’t easy by any means, she made it seem like it actually wasn’t the worst thing a 9 year old could have to go through. But it was. It sucked and it was scary and I wish no one, especially no child, ever had to spend a single day, let alone years, fighting for their lives like Mila had to do.

Mila is better now. She has her energy and strength back. She doesn’t have to worry so much about being around people who might have been around someone with a cold anymore. She can travel again, without worrying about having to stay close to Lurie Children’s Hospital. Life feels a little more normal again.

But there are new kids every day being told they have cancer. That they will need to start treatments tomorrow. That will have their lives turned upside down and inside out for the foreseeable future.

Now I would like to do my part to help out with the funding I am hoping to raise. It won’t be much I’m sure, but I’m happy to be one more participant in the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser. Kids with cancer are going through so much more than I could possibly even imagine, so if there’s something I might be able to do to support them, I’m happy to do it.

Please consider making a donation, no matter how big or small. Together, we can make a difference! Thank you!