Maxwell was diagnosed with cancer on July 18th. Before his diagnosis, he began experiencing constant and severe headaches.
Right now, his limitations from the brain tumor come mainly from the pain he experiences and the medication he needs to manage it.
In addition to cancer, Maxxwell also has Epstein’s anomaly and autism, and has already endured many medical procedures because of those conditions. As a single parent of five children, his mom has found it difficult to stay employed while also being present with Maxxwell at home. The greatest struggles for their family are managing his pain and the heavy financial burden that treatment brings.
His diagnosis has changed family life in many ways, especially with the need for his mom to be home often and focused on his care.
Maxwell is such a joy to everyone around him. He loves people and is deeply kind, loving, and present. He has a beautiful way of giving his full self to others. He loves to think and is especially interested right now in television, numbers, and Legos.
Despite being dealt some difficult challenges from birth, Maxwell meets each day with hope, joy, and courage. Even in the midst of pain, he continues to share the very best of his love and presence with those around him.
Just two days before her second birthday, Ellie was diagnosed with leukemia. In the weeks leading up to it, her parents noticed she was walking with a limp and turning her foot inward. She also ran a persistent fever that doctors kept attributing to a virus. Eventually, further testing revealed what was really happening, and life changed instantly for their family.
Treatment has been intense. Ellie has endured port placement, countless spinal taps, bone marrow biopsies, and regular chemotherapy. The effects of treatment have brought challenges—at one point, she even lost her ability to walk. But Ellie is strong and determined. With time and hard work, she is now running and playing again, though still working on balance. Because her immune system is compromised, her family has had to limit social interactions, staying home more often and stepping away from things they loved, like church and birthday parties.
The diagnosis has impacted every part of family life. Her mom had to step away from work to care for Ellie and take her to appointments, learning to earn income from home instead. They even moved into a smaller, more affordable house to save money for treatment. It hasn’t been easy, but the sacrifices are worth it to give Ellie the care she needs.
Despite all she has been through, Ellie shines with joy and resilience. She is incredibly smart, talkative, and full of energy. She loves exploring, playing outside, diving into crafts, and twirling around in her princess nightgowns—which she would happily wear all day. She adores playing with her little sister, singing and dancing to Disney songs, and lighting up every room with her infectious smile.
Her family is hoping for photos together—something they haven’t had since before her little sister was born. For them, these images will be more than just pictures. They’ll be a reminder of their strength, their love, and the joy Ellie continues to bring to everyone around her.
Henry was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma last month and has already completed his first month of chemotherapy.
Before his diagnosis a mass was found on his body which led to further testing and answers.
Because Henry is immunocompromised he cannot be in large crowds or spend time with friends at school. His treatments have included both chemotherapy and surgery. One of the hardest challenges for his family has been helping him keep up his appetite while balancing frequent hospital visits.
Life for Henry and his family has changed in every way. Their days now revolve around home care and weekly trips to the hospital but they stay focused on supporting him through each step.
Henry is an amazing little boy who loves cars monster trucks and Spiderman. His bright spirit continues to shine even during treatment.
Ryleigh was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin Lymphoma on October 4, 2024.
Her journey began in April 2024 when she came down with what seemed like a week-long flu. Instead of improving, her symptoms slowly worsened. Over the next few months she developed an enlarged lymph node in her armpit, a lingering cough, migraines, chronic fatigue, night sweats, and itchy skin.
Because her immune system was weakened during treatment, Ryleigh had to complete her freshman year of high school from home to stay safe.
Before the diagnosis, doctors ordered blood tests, scans, and biopsies to search for answers. Once the cancer was confirmed, she began twelve rounds of chemotherapy, which she finished on March 28. She will have an MRI soon to learn if she is cancer free. The emotional and mental side of treatment has been the hardest challenge for the whole family.
Since her diagnosis, the family has grown closer and learned not to take a single moment for granted.
Ryleigh is known for her bright spirit and caring heart. She stays upbeat and never takes herself too seriously, always smiling and dancing. She loves to laugh, especially at silly moments with her sister Makenzy. Her favorite things include spending time with family and friends, playing volleyball, and listening to music.
Ryleigh’s ability to stay positive and see the good in every day helped her get through treatment and inspired everyone around her.
McKay was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma on February 17 2014 when he was three years old. He relapsed seven years later, almost to the day, on February 13 2021 at age ten.
In the weeks leading up to his first diagnosis, McKay experienced leg pains, intermittent low-grade fevers, and unusual fatigue. The symptoms were subtle and not what you would immediately associate with cancer, but their persistence raised concern after about three weeks and led to the discovery of his illness.
After ten remarkable years of courage, McKay passed away on March 17 2024. During his original treatment he coped with the usual immune-system challenges and some high-frequency hearing loss from chemotherapy, yet he rarely let those hurdles slow him down. During his three years of relapse treatments he enjoyed long stretches of time when he could simply be a kid, but in the final six to twelve months his blood counts stayed low and he became more fragile, which kept him from the sports he loved. Even then he never stopped finding joy in what he could do.
McKay’s medical journey was extensive. His first round of treatment included five cycles of induction chemotherapy, a stem-cell harvest, a six-and-a-half-hour resection surgery, two rounds of high-dose chemotherapy followed by an autologous stem-cell transplant, fourteen rounds of radiation, five rounds of immunotherapy, and six rounds of cis-retinoic acid. He then spent two additional years on a study drug called DFMO to help keep the cancer in remission. After relapse he underwent twenty-eight rounds of combined chemo and immunotherapy, seven more rounds of chemotherapy, forty-six rounds of radiation, and four rounds of MIBG full-body radiation therapy that required isolation for days at a time. As his case grew more complex, the family traveled frequently to specialized hospitals, often separated across states, which added to the hardship.
The impact on McKay’s family has been profound. They miss him every single day, yet his example guides them to treasure the small things, to focus on what truly matters, and to live life to the fullest. They strive to “live for McKay,” carrying forward the strength and perspective he taught them.
McKay was a quiet yet spirited boy, just shy of his fourteenth birthday when he passed. He loved video games, especially Zelda on the Nintendo Switch, and was known for his playful sense of humor. At the hospital he sometimes seemed reserved, but those lucky enough to gain his trust discovered a witty prankster who loved to make people laugh. He shared a special bond with each of his three sisters and two brothers; they were all his favorites, and he was theirs.
Wise beyond his years, McKay faced the reality of his illness with grace and courage, especially during the last six months of his life. When he was first diagnosed at age three, he earned the nickname “Lightning McKay” for his devotion to Lightning McQueen. Years later, during his relapse, friends and family honored his love of the Zelda games by saying they would “Link Up for McKay.”
As his family now plans their first portraits since his passing, they hope to capture the love that continues to surround him, celebrating both the memories they hold and the unbreakable connection they share with their beloved son and brother.
Case was diagnosed with DMG on November 15, 2024. A month before his diagnosis, he began holding his head down to the right, and a few months earlier he had experienced some double vision. When the clinic could not see him quickly, his family took him to the emergency room, where they began to uncover what was happening.
Since then, Case has faced extraordinary challenges. He is losing his ability to talk and his balance is affected. He has undergone brain and femur biopsies and has received radiation on his head, spine, arms, legs, and pelvis. More radiation to his head is scheduled. The road has been hard for both Case and his mom. His mother, a dental hygienist, has not worked since his diagnosis and drives an hour and a half each way to the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. Life has shifted completely. Case once loved school, self-defense class, time with friends, and staying active. Their pets are cared for by others and the family home feels different without the everyday bustle they once enjoyed.
Through it all, Case remains the most amazing son a parent could hope for. He has a heart of gold and is kind, thoughtful, loving, and funny. He is motivated and curious, loves learning and showing how smart he is, and finds joy in arts and crafts, video games, card games, and board games. He adores his two cats and dog and worries about friends and family with a deep sense of care. Case loves Jesus and his family, delights in traveling, discovering new places, and trying new foods, and dreams of visiting Japan one day. Music, dancing, and singing all bring him happiness. More than anything, he loves simply being a kid and being alive.
Case is incredibly strong and determined to fight this terminal cancer. He continues to persevere with grace, always trying to please God, himself, and the people he loves.
