At 14 months of age, Rylee, an amazingly smart, loving, silly and beautiful toddler was diagnosed with a “common” childhood cancer following some tiredness and routine bloodwork.
After the earth shattering news we started our journey at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where it was further determined that her cancer was not “common” and genetic tests showed, a very high risk leukemia with a 10% survival as she posed what is known as the “Philadelphia Chromosome”.
Rylee from there was treated on the most vigorous and near tortuous protocol to give her a chance at life. Rylee spent most of her 2 and 1/2 years of treatment inpatient at CHOP, with outpatient oncology, or home sleeping and trying to recover from the only known treatment that could potentially save her life.
Treatment felt like it would never end however on Oct 27,2017 with friends and family, and an entire fire work display, Rylee took her last dose of medication for her leukemia.
While trying to spend time being a kid and catching up to her peers, Rylee then developed seizures which became the next focus of her life. While no doctor is able to say specifically what drug, medication, or vaccine caused the seizures we know they are not a genetic occurrence and therefore are attributed to her “life saving cancer treatment”.
Rylee’s harsh treatment is the direct cause of her epilepsy in which she may never live a normal life or care for herself independently. We will always be on alert for late side effects of her treatment, reoccurrence of cancer, or a secondary cancer which is why we need more funding, more research, and better treatment options for our children.
I’m raising funds with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to support research that finds cures and safer treatments for all childhood cancers, providing hope for children and families facing this fight.
Why?
Because cancer is the #1 disease killer of kids.
This is why I’m teaming up with St. Baldrick’s – the #1 charity funder of childhood cancer research grants – in their 25th year.
Your donation can help ensure that the next 25 years bring hope, progress, and cures. Together, we speed up the progress of saving the lives of these brave children.
Thank you for your donation!
