Vera was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2022 after experiencing fevers, loss of appetite, and unexplained bleeding from her nose and gums. Her treatment journey has been tough—bringing challenges like mobility issues, vision loss, neuropathy, hypoglycemia, anxiety, and depression. But through it all, she has fought with incredible strength.
Now, two months after treatment, our family is finally starting to breathe again. We haven’t had family pictures taken since before her diagnosis, making this moment even more meaningful.
Vera is full of creativity and joy. She loves to sing, dance, and craft—expressing herself in the most beautiful ways. Her laughter is contagious, and despite everything she has been through, she continues to find joy in the little things.
This session means so much to us, capturing the light and resilience that shines so brightly in our sweet girl.
In February 2024, our world was turned upside down when Brooks was diagnosed with Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML). It all started with tiny, pinpoint dots around his eyes. Thinking it was a rash, I sent a picture to our pediatrician, who immediately ordered bloodwork. Looking back, the signs had been there—months of back-to-back respiratory viruses and unexplained bruising. But we never imagined it would lead to this.
After two rounds of chemotherapy, Brooks underwent a bone marrow transplant in April 2024. Treatment meant learning an entirely new way of life—worrying about germs, giving medicine, changing dressings in a sterile environment, and even leaving home for four months to be where he needed to be.
Through it all, Brooks never stopped smiling. Even on the hardest days, when chemo made him feel awful, he found a way to be silly, to laugh, to bring joy to those around him. He is a ball of energy—running, jumping, climbing, and constantly on the move. But at the same time, he’s a mama’s boy at heart, never passing up a snuggle with me, his blanket, or his favorite stuffed animals.
He won over his nurses and made friends with everyone along the way. His strength and spirit remind us daily of the incredible fighter that he is.
On May 1, 2024, our lives changed forever when Rose was diagnosed with cancer. It all started so simply—she was jumping on a trampoline, fell, and said her knee hurt. We took her to the doctor, who referred us to an orthopedic specialist, but then something even more concerning happened. She started developing polka-dot bruises everywhere. That was when we knew something was really wrong.
Since then, Rose has been through chemotherapy and lumbar punctures. The treatments are tough, and the hospital stays feel endless. This journey has been incredibly hard on our whole family. We’ve had to limit the people she’s around and adjust our lives in ways we never imagined.
But through it all, Rose is our light in the darkness. She is funny, outgoing, and so incredibly smart. She loves being outside, dancing, singing, and laughing—especially when I pretend to be a dinosaur. Disney princesses are her world, but her absolute favorite thing is dancing with me, her mom.
Even after multiple hospital stays, she wakes up every morning with a smile, as if nothing ever happened. She is the strongest little girl we know, and we are so proud of her fight.
Our world changed on April 21, 2024, when Delilah was diagnosed with cancer. It all started with an enlarged stomach—something that seemed small at first but led to an ultrasound and, ultimately, a diagnosis we never expected.
Since then, Delilah has endured 36 rounds of chemotherapy and countless days in the hospital. The hardest part for us has been finding time together as a family. Between hospital stays, work, and trying to keep up with everyday life, it often feels like we’re being pulled in a hundred different directions. Because of her diagnosis, we’ve had to step back from social gatherings, choosing instead to spend our free time together, just the four of us.
Through it all, Delilah remains the light in our lives. She is full of joy, laughter, and pure silliness. She loves making silly faces, talking in funny voices, singing, dancing, and cuddling her stuffed animals. No matter what she’s going through, she always finds a reason to smile—and reminds us to do the same.
Ethan was diagnosed with cancer on March 6, 2024, at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. For three weeks leading up to his diagnosis, Ethan had been more tired than usual, taking longer naps and feeling unwell. After multiple visits to the doctor with no answers, his parents requested blood work. Within hours of the results, the doctor called, and Ethan was admitted to the hospital that same day.
Since his diagnosis, Ethan has faced several spinal taps, bone marrow aspirations, and both oral and infusion chemotherapy treatments. His treatment will continue for the next 2-3 years. While Ethan remains strong, his cancer has brought significant changes to his family’s life. His other mom has put her law practice on hold to care for him full-time. Their home has become a clean, controlled environment to protect Ethan’s health—shoes are left at the door, hands are washed upon entering, and all food preparation is done with extra care. His sister has had to adapt too, as friends can no longer come over to play.
Ethan’s love for cars, trains, and trucks has filled their house, transforming it into his indoor playground. While he can no longer play outside or visit Disneyland, he finds joy in imaginative play at home. His sweet, loving personality shines through, even though he doesn’t fully understand why he’s sick or why he can’t return to preschool.
Despite the challenges, Ethan has been a trooper through this journey. He often asks whether appointments will allow him to have dinner at home or at the hospital, celebrating the shorter visits. When hospitalized, he asks, “How many sleeps?” to count the days until he can go home. His resilience and humor shine, like the time he told the nurses they had “three minutes” to insert his NG tube—and they succeeded in record time.
Ethan truly is the sweetest boy you’ll ever meet, a brave and loving fighter who faces every challenge with strength and heart.
Kayleigh was diagnosed with cancer in March 2024 after weeks of concerning symptoms. Initially dismissed as a virus, her persistent cold, weight loss, and pale complexion prompted her parents to seek a second opinion. A CBC test led to an urgent trip to the children’s hospital, where her diagnosis was confirmed. Chemotherapy began the very next day.
Kayleigh is currently in frontline treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), specifically in Interim Maintenance 1. While the initial months were tough, especially with movement challenges, physical therapy has been a big help, and she’s been showing great progress.
The diagnosis turned her family’s life upside down. Kayleigh now homeschools with her brother since public school isn’t an option during treatment. Her mom had to leave her full-time job to become her full-time caregiver, adapting to this new reality.
Despite everything, Kayleigh remains the sweetest 11-year-old with a vibrant personality. She adores animals, especially dogs and horses, and her favorite color is purple. Lately, she’s developed an interest in makeup and skincare, and she loves crafts, painting, singing, and playing volleyball—though treatment has put her volleyball games on pause for now.
Kayleigh is a strong and brave girl whose courage inspires everyone around her. Her determination and joyful spirit shine through even during the toughest moments.
