Peyton was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) on May 13, 2019, a few months shy of her 15th birthday. While the overall prognosis is good, she will have to take medication to fight CML every day for the rest of her life. Peyton’s outlook on life changed completely after she was diagnosed. She struggled with the question of “Why Me” while adjusting to her new normal. She went through stages of sadness, anger, and uncertainty of the future. When these emotions get too overwhelming, Peyton reminds herself how fortunate she is to be able to live a normal, active life and how blessed she is that the cancer was detected early.

Peyton believes that God doesn’t give us things that we aren’t strong enough to handle, and because of that she feels there is a greater purpose for her diagnosis. She wants to bring awareness that cancer comes in all shapes and sizes—it doesn’t care where you live, how smart you are, how many sports you play, or if you are a boy or a girl. She wants to make sure that no other child has to go through the fear of being diagnosed with leukemia.

Peyton’s diagnosis has shown her that you need to live each day to the fullest, because you never know when the course of your life is going to change.

Every child who has been diagnosed with childhood cancer inspires us to Rally On to find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and, ultimately, cures. Please join us in the fight against childhood cancer by making a donation or setting up your own Rally fundraiser today.