In March of 2022, our world changed when Waverly was diagnosed with cancer at just 14 months old. It all started with a small lump near her nose—something so seemingly simple, yet it led to a journey we never expected.
Since then, she has been through so much—chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and multiple tumor resections. Despite everything, she has no current limitations, and we are incredibly grateful for that. But as an immunocompromised child, we have had to restructure our entire lives to keep her safe while still letting her enjoy just being a kid. It’s a constant balance—one we navigate every single day.
Through it all, Waverly remains the most outgoing and adventurous little girl. She absolutely loves being outside and meeting new people! Her joy is infectious, and her strength inspires us daily.
These moments mean everything to us, and we can’t wait to have them to look back on forever.
On June 6, 2024, our world changed when Gracee was diagnosed with cancer. There were no warning signs—no symptoms at all. It was just a routine ultrasound that led to the news no parent ever wants to hear.
Since then, she has been undergoing chemotherapy. While she doesn’t have physical limitations, our family has had to make big adjustments. We aren’t able to go out in public much, which has been tough, but keeping her safe is our priority.
Through it all, Gracee remains her sweet, loving self. She absolutely adores animals—they bring her so much joy. No matter what she’s facing, her love for them never fades. Her strength and spirit continue to inspire us every single day.
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.
Our journey with cancer began when Julia was just 1.5 months old. We noticed her eyes drifting, but our concerns were dismissed for months. By the time we finally got answers, we were told she had the worst-graded tumors in both of her eyes. We were also told she would likely not survive. The only treatment option was in New York—at our own expense.
Now, seven years later, Julia is still fighting. She lost her right eye nine months into treatment, and every day, we fight to save the vision in her remaining eye. She has endured more than 200 rounds of anesthesia, over 20 surgeries, and even a moment when her heart stopped during surgery. She has never reached remission—yet—but she continues to face her battle with incredible strength and grace.
Cancer has changed every aspect of our lives. Julia is blind, she has missed so much school, and we have had to fight tirelessly for both her medical care and her right to an education. Financially, it has been devastating—we have moved multiple times to keep up with bills, and I haven’t been able to return to my nursing career because of the constant travel to New York for treatment. Through it all, our faith has been our foundation. We have lost friends and family along the way—some people just don’t know how to handle the weight of what we live with every day. But we choose grace, and we choose to make the most of the life we do have.
Despite everything, Julia radiates kindness, warmth, and joy. She is the harmony in our lives—a beautifully spoken, gentle soul who loves her brothers fiercely and adores animals. She finds joy in playing, being silly, and embracing life with an unbreakable spirit. Her story is still being written, and we are so proud to be by her side as she fills it with love, laughter, and resilience.
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.
Brave, energetic, smart, and strong-willed, Alyza is a 10-year-old who lights up every room she enters. She loves her family deeply, and her joy and determination inspire everyone around her.
Alyza was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March 2020, which led to two brain surgeries and a two-week stay in the pediatric intensive care unit. Her journey began with unexplained vomiting, respiratory issues, and seizures in her sleep, prompting an MRI that revealed a golf ball-sized tumor on her left temporal lobe.
Today, Alyza is thriving. While she continues to take oral chemo twice a day to keep her tumor from growing back, she has no other limitations—except for avoiding grapefruit due to medication interactions. She undergoes MRIs every four months and lab work every eight weeks to monitor her health.
Alyza’s cancer diagnosis has connected her family with a supportive network of pediatric oncology families and organizations, allowing her and her brother to attend camps, and special events, and make lifelong friends.
Alyza’s personality is as vibrant as her spirit—she’s sweet, sassy, loyal, and loving. She adores playing with slime, drawing, jumping on the trampoline, swimming, and going on adventures. She’s also a Taekwondo student, a Junior in Girl Scouts, and recently started yoga classes. At home, she cherishes snuggling with her puppy, Tessie, and spending time with her family. Alyza’s creative side often shines through when she plays “hospital” with her friends and dolls, showing how much cancer has shaped her story.
