Lucia was diagnosed with cancer in November 2024. She first noticed a painful lump on her leg that led to her diagnosis.
Currently, Lucia uses a walker and is immunocompromised.
She has gone through five rounds of chemotherapy, more than thirty doses of radiation, three surgeries, and physical therapy.
Lucia’s diagnosis has greatly affected family life. Their days now revolve around hospital stays and doctor visits. It has been hard being apart from Lucia’s siblings during this time. She has also not been able to attend school or see her friends since December.
Lucia is a joyful girl who lights up any room. People often compliment her bright eyes, beautiful smile, and little dimples. She is friendly, talkative, artistic, silly, and funny.
She has been incredibly brave and resilient throughout her treatments. For a girl who loved going to school and celebrating birthdays and holidays, the social isolation has been difficult. However, Lucia smiles every day and remembers that each treatment brings her closer to being healthy.
Xander was diagnosed with neuroblastoma on May 17, 2019, when he was just ten weeks old. Before the diagnosis, he had a bellybutton hernia and a swollen belly that doctors thought was just gas. His mom knew something was wrong because he absolutely hated tummy time, didn’t like being held over her shoulder, and would randomly cry out in pain.
Xander has some limitations due to his diagnosis, including high-pitched hearing loss and a slight speech delay.
He has been through many treatments and procedures, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy the first time he fought cancer. When the cancer returned, he underwent brain surgery, radiation, and more chemotherapy.
Being their eldest, Xander’s family missed out on many typical baby experiences. They wonder how different things might have been without cancer, especially since Xander has ADHD and they don’t know if it would have developed without the chemo and radiation treatments.
Xander is extremely outgoing and no one is a stranger to him. He loves people, is compassionate, thoughtful, and a great big brother. He enjoys all things boy, including Sonic, Mario, Marvel, playing outside, and going to the park and pool.
He is the strongest person his family knows. He has been through hell and back twice, and you wouldn’t know it just by how he interacts with the world.
Hudson was diagnosed with retinoblastoma almost four years ago to the day. His mom’s intuition told her something was off because his eyes seemed a little unaligned. Just a week later, he was rushed to start chemotherapy treatment.
Hudson has faced new challenges since his cancer treatment. He was recently diagnosed with mild neurocognitive disorder and autism, both of which are direct results of his treatments. This is a new journey his family is navigating together.
Over two years, Hudson underwent 22 general anesthesia procedures. These treatments affected parts of his brain, impacting his behavior and development, and have changed his everyday life.
His family has grieved the life they once imagined with every step of this journey. Just when they thought they had overcome the hardest parts of cancer, new difficulties have emerged, but they face them with love and determination.
Hudson is a very silly boy who loves all things construction and vehicles. His playful spirit brings joy to everyone around him.
Zepplyn was diagnosed with cancer on April 6, 2023. Leading up to her diagnosis, she developed petechiae all over her body. That unusual symptom led her family to seek answers, and soon after, they were given the news that would change everything.
Since her diagnosis, Zepplyn has been undergoing chemotherapy for nearly two years. Along the way, she has faced many challenges, including a severe case of pneumonia that resulted in a stay in the pediatric intensive care unit.
Her cancer diagnosis deeply impacted her family’s daily life. Their family dynamic changed drastically. Being together became rare, as her parents had to constantly switch between staying in the hospital with Zeppy and being home with her sister, Zaela. It was a heartbreaking adjustment for everyone.
Despite all of this, Zepplyn remains a bubbly and bright two-year-old. She loves dancing and music, is obsessed with princesses, and adores Spidey. Her joyful spirit shines through, even on the hard days, and she brings light to everyone around her.
Zepplyn’s story is one of strength, resilience, and the unshakable love of a family doing whatever it takes for their little girl.
Noah was diagnosed with leukemia during football camp at school. After getting hurt during practice, his family took him to the local emergency room. This visit felt different. Noah, typically tough and composed, would not stop crying from the pain. It was completely out of the ordinary for him.
In the 30 to 45 days leading up to his diagnosis, subtle signs began to appear. He started napping a lot, which was very unusual for him. He also lost his appetite and began complaining of leg pain. Thankfully, his cancer was caught very early.
Since his diagnosis, Noah has undergone chemotherapy treatments. He has had a particularly difficult road, developing allergic reactions to three different chemotherapy medications. One reaction was so severe that it landed him in the ICU. He also battled pancreatitis as a complication of treatment.
Despite these challenges, Noah’s diagnosis has brought his family even closer. They have always been tight-knit, but now they truly live in the moment. They enjoy each other’s company more deeply, taking each day as it comes. Game nights, family outings, and simply being together have become cherished parts of daily life.
Noah is a natural comedian. He loves to make people laugh and is truly great at it. He has a special love for animals, especially dogs. His vibrant personality and sense of humor bring joy to everyone around him.
Noah’s story is one of strength, early intervention, and the healing power of family and laughter.
Levi was diagnosed with cancer on April 5, 2022. After a long and challenging journey, he is set to complete treatment on August 29.
Leading up to his diagnosis, Levi had been sick for weeks. Despite repeated visits to the doctor, the answer was always the same: a virus. But as time went on, Levi began to struggle with breathing. He was rushed to the hospital, where over the course of two weeks, he had two chest tubes placed. It was during the second procedure that doctors discovered an orange-sized tumor in his lung.
Since then, Levi has endured intensive treatment. His first year involved frontline therapy with weekly visits to the hospital, sometimes multiple times a week. He is now in maintenance treatment, taking daily chemotherapy pills at home and going to the hospital once a month for IV and spinal chemotherapy.
Levi’s diagnosis has deeply impacted his whole family. His ten-year-old brother Wyatt has had to give up so much during this time. His little sister was just nine months old when Levi was diagnosed, and many of her early moments were shaped by hospital visits and emotional stress.
Even through the hardest days, Levi’s spirit has remained bright. He is the silliest kid his family knows, laid back and always ready to have fun. He is very athletic, loves being outside, and enjoys spending time with other kids.
These beach photos are meant to celebrate the end of a very long chapter. Levi’s family wants to freeze this moment in time, a reminder of how far they have come and the joy that still fills their days. Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and happy. Levi’s story is a powerful reminder of hope, courage, and the strength of one very special boy.
