Teens

What a Difference a Decade Makes

What a Difference a Decade Makes

May of 2013 brought the last dose of chemo for my daughter, Danielle. Back then it was hard to see or even think about what life would be like ten years down the road. Honestly, I wouldn’t even allow myself to look that far ahead. Danielle was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January of 2011. When the genetic testing came back on her leukemia about a month after diagnosis, it was not good news. She had all the bad markers and none of the good ones. I chose to focus on the fact that, one month in, she was responding well to treatment and was technically in remission. We just kept marching on. But it never left my mind that this unfavorable genetic news was lurking in the background. Her treatment had five phases with names…induction, consolidation, interim maintenance, delayed intensification and maintenance. As I lived in this world and watched other families...

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Dear Presh

Dear Presh

Dear Presh (a.k.a. Sarah), My heart gets a little heavy this time of year. I start to wonder why and then realize that it means another year has passed since I last saw you. Last held your hand. Last hugged you. You fought Ewing’s Sarcoma with such poise, grace and unwavering faith in the Lord that I could only stand in awe. I didn’t meet you and your family until after your first battle with Ewing’s. I actually remember exactly where we met and how we immediately hit it off. I remember we laughed and laughed. From there our friendship just grew. You visited the Rally office, filmed videos and spoke at Rally events. There were Subway and Chick-fil-A lunches. There were also relapses, hospital visits and doctor’s appointments that you invited me to. There are so many Presh memories. Indulge me as I recall a few. You found it so funny that any medical procedure, while it fascinated you,...

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You Above ALL: Rally Kid Ava Paige’s Songwriting Story

You Above ALL: Rally Kid Ava Paige’s Songwriting Story

A PATH TO SUCCESS Rally Kid Ava Paige has been writing songs and playing guitar for most of her life. She always dreamed of becoming a successful songwriter, and her natural talents put her well on her way at a young age. Ava has played live shows in Nashville for many years, even holding a standing gig at The George Jones since age 13. She has played iconic venues such as The Listening Room and The Bluebird Cafe and frequently participates in songwriter shows around town that include some major hitmakers. She earned several music industry awards and was named Best Singer/Songwriter in the 2019 Nashville Scene Readers Poll. A SHOCKING DIAGNOSIS With her music career traveling in the fast lane, Ava was delivered a blow just before her 15th birthday—she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL for short. Gigs and songwriting were put on hold and replaced by hospital stays...

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Two Girls. Three Cancers. One Goal.

Two Girls. Three Cancers. One Goal.

When Rally Kid Peyton was 15, her life was going as planned. She filled her time with rigorous academics, cross country and lacrosse. Nearing the winter of her sophomore year, Peyton’s quick feet began holding out and persistent headaches became unbearable. To Peyton's “utter disappointment” she was diagnosed with two types of leukemia. Peyton soon began a five-month treatment plan, receiving chemotherapy, full-body radiation and a bone marrow transplant. Sadly, she relapsed almost immediately. Peyton had to start treatment again, including a clinical trial and another bone marrow transplant. Her chances of survival were slim. But Peyton—being the strong and relentless fighter she is—persevered through her second battle against leukemia. A year and a half following her initial diagnosis, Peyton was finally cancer-free! I too was a normal kid before cancer. I spent my days dancing at my...

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Rally Kid Keren’s Future Is Bright

Rally Kid Keren’s Future Is Bright

Childhood cancer doesn’t just affect childhood. The effects of fighting cancer can last a lifetime. When you give to Rally, you help kids like Keren continue to thrive—despite challenges they may face after their battle. Throughout her childhood cancer journey, Keren’s personal motto has been “let your light shine.” Keren and her family shared their story with us last December, and we recently checked in to see how things have changed for them over the past year. Now a seventh grader, Keren started a new school this fall. She is very happy with the academic and social environment, and she has even begun learning computer coding! Keren enjoyed swimming competitively prior to cancer. Since finishing treatment and becoming more comfortable with her prosthetic, she has gradually resumed physical activities. She does occasionally struggle with the fit of her prosthetic and injuries from...

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Rally Kid Danielle is Looking to the Future

Rally Kid Danielle is Looking to the Future

When you give to Rally, you help kids like Danielle see a future beyond cancer. A future where they can grow up, go to college and make a difference for others. A future where they can achieve their dreams. Prior to her cancer battle, Danielle was a healthy, active child who enjoyed basketball and gymnastics. She had only been sick twice in seven years before she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). For Danielle’s family, life will always be defined as “before cancer” and “after cancer”. Danielle was “lucky” to only spend 59 nights in the hospital during her two and a half years of treatment. Overall, she saw the hospital and the outpatient clinic as a happy place—a place to go see her friends. The nurses and fellow patients served as Danielle’s social life, which had been taken away by cancer. Cancer didn’t just steal childhood experiences from Danielle. Her older...

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Teens

What a Difference a Decade Makes

What a Difference a Decade Makes

May of 2013 brought the last dose of chemo for my daughter, Danielle. Back then it was hard to see or even think about what life would be like ten years down the road. Honestly, I wouldn’t even allow myself to look that far ahead. Danielle was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January of 2011. When the genetic testing came back on her leukemia about a month after diagnosis, it was not good news. She had all the bad markers and none of the good ones. I chose to focus on...

read more
Dear Presh

Dear Presh

Dear Presh (a.k.a. Sarah), My heart gets a little heavy this time of year. I start to wonder why and then realize that it means another year has passed since I last saw you. Last held your hand. Last hugged you. You fought Ewing’s Sarcoma with such poise, grace and unwavering faith in the Lord that I could only stand in awe. I didn’t meet you and your family until after your first battle with Ewing’s. I actually remember exactly where we met and how we immediately hit it off. I remember we...

read more
You Above ALL: Rally Kid Ava Paige’s Songwriting Story

You Above ALL: Rally Kid Ava Paige’s Songwriting Story

A PATH TO SUCCESS Rally Kid Ava Paige has been writing songs and playing guitar for most of her life. She always dreamed of becoming a successful songwriter, and her natural talents put her well on her way at a young age. Ava has played live shows in Nashville for many years, even holding a standing gig at The George Jones since age 13. She has played iconic venues such as The Listening Room and The Bluebird Cafe and frequently participates in songwriter shows around town that include some...

read more
Two Girls. Three Cancers. One Goal.

Two Girls. Three Cancers. One Goal.

When Rally Kid Peyton was 15, her life was going as planned. She filled her time with rigorous academics, cross country and lacrosse. Nearing the winter of her sophomore year, Peyton’s quick feet began holding out and persistent headaches became unbearable. To Peyton's “utter disappointment” she was diagnosed with two types of leukemia. Peyton soon began a five-month treatment plan, receiving chemotherapy, full-body radiation and a bone marrow transplant. Sadly, she relapsed almost...

read more
Rally Kid Keren’s Future Is Bright

Rally Kid Keren’s Future Is Bright

Childhood cancer doesn’t just affect childhood. The effects of fighting cancer can last a lifetime. When you give to Rally, you help kids like Keren continue to thrive—despite challenges they may face after their battle. Throughout her childhood cancer journey, Keren’s personal motto has been “let your light shine.” Keren and her family shared their story with us last December, and we recently checked in to see how things have changed for them over the past year. Now a seventh grader, Keren...

read more
Rally Kid Danielle is Looking to the Future

Rally Kid Danielle is Looking to the Future

When you give to Rally, you help kids like Danielle see a future beyond cancer. A future where they can grow up, go to college and make a difference for others. A future where they can achieve their dreams. Prior to her cancer battle, Danielle was a healthy, active child who enjoyed basketball and gymnastics. She had only been sick twice in seven years before she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). For Danielle’s family, life will always be defined as “before cancer” and...

read more

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