“Your child has a virus,” were the words that were spoken repetitively for the entire month of August 2020 as Madelyn continued to experience low-grade fevers, accompanied by random bouts of joint pain. As a mother, I simply knew that this was not a virus and was very persistent in getting to the root cause. Finally, after multiple rounds of bloodwork, all which were within normal limits, with the exception of the final labs taken during an ER visit, Madelyn’s month-long illness was diagnosed as B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on September 9, 2020.

From September 2020 through December 2022, Madelyn endured countless chemotherapy treatments, many of which made her so sick that she spent her days as a four year-old child confined to a couch. 56 days of an immunotherapy that ran constantly for 24 hours through her port; over 70 days of being inpatient; and more pokes, followed by screams and tears, than I could possibly count. Our family was beyond shattered. We were living a real-life nightmare. We knew that we had a long, challenging battle ahead of us, but being equipped with strength, faith, and a community that rallied around us made the unimaginable doable. 

PCFLV was one foundation that graciously came to our rescue. Even to date, PCFLV continues to provide resources to families who are in treatment and those who are navigating once treatment is complete. PCFLV remembers Madelyn’s birthday every year with a special gift card, as well as her sister Josephine’s birthday. They arranged to have Elsa and Anna from Frozen come to our house after Madelyn completed her two rounds of immunotherapy. PCFLV has donated tickets to various shows in the area. PCFLV has provided my family with multiple opportunities to allow Madelyn, as well as my family, to experience joy despite so much heartbreak. We are grateful for PCFLV and the support they graciously give to the pediatric cancer community. Please consider a donation to PCFLV honoring Madelyn and all those other beautiful children who are forced into a battle beyond comprehension. 

Written by Madelyn’s mom, Erin 

Please consider helping children with cancer and others in our community by scheduling a blood donation at Miller-Keystone Blood Center: https://donor.giveapint.org/donor/schedules/zip