Victoria was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor on November 14, 2024, after experiencing abdominal pain that led to further testing and answers her family never expected.
She has faced chemotherapy with incredible bravery and strength. While she does not currently have any limitations due to her diagnosis, the journey has brought big changes. One of the biggest impacts on her family has been the need to move out of town to be closer to her medical care.
Despite everything, Victoria remains a happy and joyful girl. She lights up when watching Bluey or Spidey, and her smile is as bright as ever. Her spirit and laughter continue to bring joy to her family during even the most challenging days.
Through her session, her family hopes to receive both family images and individual portraits of Victoria that reflect her strength, happiness, and the love that surrounds her.
Iris was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in October 2023. In the weeks leading up to her diagnosis, her parents noticed unexplained bruising on her back, frequent bloody noses, and persistent bone pain. When she developed a high fever that seemed more severe than a typical illness, they rushed her to the emergency room. She was transported by ambulance to the children’s hospital, where tests confirmed the diagnosis. Once chemotherapy began, it took several days before her fever finally broke.
Although Iris doesn’t have any lasting physical limitations now, she went through a long period of physical therapy to help with neuropathy and rebuild her strength. Her treatment journey has included spinal procedures, chemotherapy, bone marrow draws, and surgery to place her port.
The impact of cancer has touched every part of her family’s life. They became a single-income household to care for her full-time, and Iris has not been able to return to school during her treatment. There have been many hospital stays, and the emotional toll has been heavy for everyone.
Still, this journey has brought valuable perspective. Her family has learned not to take the good days for granted. They’ve met wonderful people, connected with supportive organizations, and found themselves part of a community they are now eager to give back to.
Iris describes herself as shy, but once she’s comfortable, her big personality shines. She is passionate about her favorite things, and her sisters are her very best friends. She loves playing video games and board games with them. She adores princesses, unicorns, rainbows, and dressing up. Iris dreams of becoming a baker, an artist, or a veterinarian. Her creativity and bright spirit make her a joy to know.
Hana was diagnosed with retinoblastoma in 2021 when she was just five months old. Her parents noticed a glow in her eye, which led to further testing and ultimately, the discovery of tumors.
Her diagnosis has meant that Hana’s family must always be alert. While her vision may be slightly affected due to a large calcified tumor in one eye, she doesn’t seem to have any trouble right now. Because of a genetic mutation, she is at higher risk for developing other cancers throughout her life, so her parents stay watchful for any unusual symptoms.
Hana has already been through so much. She’s completed four rounds of systemic chemotherapy and three rounds of intra-arterial chemotherapy, which is delivered directly through an artery. She’s had multiple MRIs and countless sedated eye exams. Her care team is based in New York City, so her family travels from Wisconsin for her medical appointments. In the beginning, they had to make the trip every four weeks. Now, thanks to her stable condition, they return every six months. The travel is expensive and often means being separated from their oldest daughter, which is never easy.
Despite the emotional and financial challenges, Hana’s cancer journey has brought incredible support and meaningful connections to her family. They are deeply grateful for every single day they have together and take life one moment at a time.
Now three years old, Hana is a spunky little girl with a heart full of sweetness. Even at her young age, she’s thoughtful and always looking out for others. She loves to make her family laugh and keeps them smiling with her playful, spirited personality.
Hope session by Birch Lane Photography by Amber | Facebook | Instagram
Zaiya was diagnosed with leukemia on April 13, 2023. In the weeks leading up to her diagnosis, her family noticed that she wasn’t quite herself. She had less energy, wanted to be held more often, and took longer naps than usual. She would sit on the floor to play instead of running around, and her skin had taken on a yellow, washed-out tone. Her parents trusted their instincts and sought answers, and thankfully, they got her to the hospital just in time. Her hemoglobin was dangerously low at a level of two and still dropping.
Since her diagnosis, Zaiya has undergone numerous treatments including lumbar punctures, IV chemotherapy, oral chemo daily, physical therapy, and surgery to place her port. In the beginning, there were many hospital stays and isolating days at home due to low counts or fevers. At the same time, her family was adjusting to life with a six-month-old baby. Zaiya’s mom had to leave work, and finances became a challenge. Their world shrank down to hospital rooms and waiting areas. But through it all, Zaiya has grown stronger each day.
This journey came just months after the family lost an uncle to cancer. The back-to-back trauma sent everyone into shock. It was a heartbreaking and emotional time, and yet their close-knit family banded together with love and support. They missed holidays and family gatherings, and Zaiya’s mom carried the weight of coordinating care and doing her best to soften the difficult moments. Though the emotional recovery is ongoing, their hearts are full of gratitude. Zaiya is alive, thriving, and surrounded by love.
Zaiya is truly one of a kind. She is a natural friend to everyone she meets. On the playground, she’ll ask, “I wonder what new friends I’ll make today?” She has a gift for spotting kids who are alone and bringing them into the fun. She’s smart, curious, and welcoming, with a vibrant personality that shines everywhere she goes. Zaiya loves superheroes like the X-Men and enjoys acting out scenes from Moana and Frozen. She loves playing outside, dancing for no reason, and soon she’ll be learning to play soccer. She’s also a loving big sister, even when her little brother gets into her toys.
Her mom says this journey would have looked very different if Zaiya weren’t the kind, compassionate, curious, and social child she is. Her strength and spirit inspire everyone around her. She’s not just surviving, she’s helping others find the courage to keep going too.
Hazel was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the end of January, and she began chemotherapy in February. The diagnosis came as a shock and felt like it happened all at once. Her family first took her in because she had shoulder pain, and doctors thought it was a pulled muscle. When a strange lump appeared afterward, they brought her back in. That second visit led to immediate referrals and, eventually, a cancer diagnosis.
Hazel has been through a PET scan, chemotherapy, a biopsy, surgery to place her port, and countless hospital trips. Some days she has appointments daily, and other times multiple times a week. These frequent trips to Portland have created separation within the family and a lot of emotional strain. Although she does not have many physical limitations, her family has to be careful after chemo to make sure everything is clean and that no one around her is sick.
Her diagnosis has completely changed family life. Before cancer, Hazel was the happiest, most friendly girl. Everything made her laugh. As time has passed, that light has started to fade. She tries to stay strong and positive, putting on a brave face as if nothing can break her. But inside, she is still just a little girl navigating something far too big for someone her age.
Hazel’s mom describes her as a true fighter. She is determined to survive, and while she wants to be strong, there are moments when she breaks down. Even in those moments, her strength shines through. Her family wants everyone to know that this is just one chapter in Hazel’s story. There is more joy and hope ahead, and they believe she will get there, one step at a time.
Lexie is a vibrant and outspoken four-year-old who was diagnosed with B-cell ALL in September. Her family began to worry when she started having pain in her right leg that caused her to limp. She also complained of chest pain when being carried or buckled into her car seat. Though she appeared pale and her family made multiple ER and urgent care visits, they were initially told nothing was wrong. Some said it was simply flat feet causing the discomfort. But her mom’s gut knew better, and another ER visit finally confirmed the diagnosis that changed everything.
Since then, Lexie has undergone numerous lumbar punctures with chemotherapy in her spine. She has been on steroids, and at one point lost the strength to even walk. She is currently finishing up Blina. Through it all, her family has faced immense challenges, especially financial ones. Her father was recently terminated from his job due to the time needed to care for Lexie and attend her appointments. The lack of understanding from employers has only added to their emotional burden.
The diagnosis has rocked their world. Family members have drifted away, and their older boys are navigating the emotional toll of watching their sister go through so much. Anxiety, anger, and depression have become part of daily life for them. Lexie’s mom and dad are doing their best to stay hopeful, but the journey has been incredibly hard. They never imagined their dramatic, spunky, diva of a daughter would be fighting to live a normal life again. And while things may never return to what they once were, they are taking it one day at a time — sometimes just one hour at a time.
Lexie lights up every room she enters. She loves Rapunzel and Pascal, and is currently obsessed with Bluey, labubus, and Mini Brands — especially anything mini. She adores animals, loves to play and dance, and can always count on Dad to spin her around or on her brothers to act silly just to see her laugh.
Her family says Lexie has taught them one of life’s greatest lessons, that it’s okay to fall, as long as you get back up and try again. They are hoping for family images that capture their reality, imperfect but filled with a love stronger than anything they could have ever imagined.
