Max was diagnosed with cancer when he was just five years old after experiencing nausea and flu-like symptoms. Since then, his journey has been filled with incredible bravery and resilience. Max has undergone four surgeries, completed five rounds of radiation, and is currently receiving his final treatment. He’s also endured countless MRIs, which he faces with courage despite being very scared of needles and hesitant to trust that people will be gentle.
Max’s diagnosis has profoundly impacted his family, who now cherish every single moment together while grieving for the life they imagined for him.
Max is an inspiring, positive, and intuitive boy who greets each day with energy and determination, even when things are tough. He loves building Legos and creating art, which allows him to express himself with confidence. Max has a special love for pandas, and his stuffed panda—his loyal companion since birth—accompanies him to every treatment and appointment, offering him comfort and strength.
After two years of stability, Max’s cancer has become more aggressive, but his incredible spirit shines brightly through every challenge. Max is a true fighter and an inspiration to everyone who meets him.
Oakleigh was diagnosed with cancer at the end of October this year after her dad discovered a mass bulging from her stomach. Shortly after, she underwent surgery to remove her left kidney along with the tumor that had overtaken it.
Her treatments have required avoiding large crowds due to her lowered immune system from chemotherapy, but her sweet and joyful spirit remains unchanged. Despite the challenges, Oakleigh’s diagnosis has brought her family closer together, especially as they adjusted to life with a newborn—her baby sister arrived just two weeks after her diagnosis.
Oakleigh is a bright light in her family’s life. She almost always has a smile on her face and adores her baby sister. Her dad is the one who can make her laugh the most. She loves animals, Elmo, Poppy from Trolls, Doc McStuffins, and Minnie Mouse. Oakleigh enjoys playing with her baby dolls, dancing to music, and embracing her playful, loving nature.
Through it all, Oakleigh’s resilience and sweetness continue to inspire everyone around her.
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.
In August 2023, Olivia was diagnosed with cancer after a mass was discovered in her stomach. Since then, she has undergone chemotherapy, and while she hasn’t faced any limitations due to her diagnosis, the impact on our family has been significant.
Before her diagnosis, we loved traveling together as a family at least once a month, creating wonderful memories and exploring new places. However, since August, our lives have centered around hospital visits and staying at home. The sudden shift in our routine has been challenging for all of us.
Olivia’s personality, however, shines through it all. She is the sweetest baby, and her smile lights up every picture. She loves spending time with her mama and dada, and her joyful spirit keeps us going during the hard days. Olivia is truly our little ray of sunshine, spreading love and happiness wherever she goes.
In May 2023, Peyton was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumor, a type of kidney cancer. Before her diagnosis, she experienced abdominal pain for a month, which we initially thought was constipation based on her pediatrician’s assessment. Despite giving her medications to help, her pain persisted and worsened, often leaving her screaming in discomfort at night. Finally, a trip to the ER revealed a large mass and a biopsy confirmed our worst fears.
Since her diagnosis, Peyton has faced numerous challenges. She recently underwent surgery to remove her right kidney and is preparing for additional chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Her energy is limited, and she often feels too tired to play at the park. Following her surgery, she’s been unable to eat, leaving her upset and crying, and even on her better days, her appetite is minimal. As a family, we’ve struggled emotionally and financially—my husband has had to take time off work to ensure Peyton gets the care she needs. It’s heartbreaking to see her so confused and in pain, resisting her medications because she doesn’t understand what’s happening.
Despite everything, Peyton’s sweet personality shines through. She adores watching True and Bartleby and Sofia the First, and she loves playing “Eye Found It.” Her favorite characters include Ana from Frozen, and her happiest memories are trips to Disneyland and Legoland. Even during treatments, she’s been so patient, finding comfort in quiet activities at home.
Peyton’s journey has been incredibly tough, but her resilience and love for the little joys in life inspire us every day.
On February 13, 2024, Wiley was diagnosed with cancer. Before her diagnosis, she experienced unusual bruising, deep breaths (later attributed to low blood counts), fevers from a lingering cold, frequent naps, and moodiness. Following her diagnosis and treatment, she faced significant challenges, including stopping walking after her initial chemotherapy induction and suffering a blood clot in her brain in July.
Her treatment has been extensive, involving lumbar punctures with chemotherapy injected into her spinal fluid, hospital stays, a port for medication, and over two years of planned chemotherapy. She has also endured strong steroids, prophylactic antibiotics, and 157 home injections. Our family has made sacrifices, including me leaving my job to be her full-time caregiver.
Her diagnosis has reshaped our perspective on life. We cherish every moment with her, and the good days hold even greater meaning. Her resilience has brought our family closer and heightened our gratitude for small joys.
Wiley is a bright and joyful child who loves Barbies and princesses. She is often smiling and has a strong sense of preference, especially when it comes to food—a side effect of her treatment. Her determination and spirit shine through even on the hardest days.
Hope session by Tzivi Wenger Photography| Instagram
