On August 29, 2022, our lives changed forever when we brought our 18-month-old daughter, Isla, to walk-in care hours at our pediatrician's office. Isla had been pale, bruising easily, and her teachers had reported that she was lethargic throughout her first day of preschool. We believed she might have something as simple as low iron but cancer honestly never crossed our minds. One finger prick later, we were being sent to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. An Emergency Room doctor informed us more detailed blood work showed that Isla had cancer. 

The next morning, we met her oncology team and learned that Isla's official diagnosis was B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She underwent surgery later that day to have a port placed and she received her first doses of chemotherapy.  Since that pivotal moment, our brave girl has shown remarkable resilience throughout her battle with Leukemia. She is scheduled to complete treatment and ring the bell in January 2025. 

This journey has posed significant challenges for every member of our family, demanding not only emotional strength but also adaptability as we navigated the complexities of Isla's healthcare needs and attempted to balance the care of our other two children. However, we have been profoundly touched by the generous support of friends, family, coworkers, our church, and local organizations. Their compassion and encouragement have been a huge comfort during some of our darkest days.

It was early in Isla’s treatment that the idea for Isla Cares began to take root. Inspired by the unwavering love and support we received, Isla Cares has evolved into a mission to encourage and support other childhood cancer families in our community. With Isla as our inspiration, we are determined to spread awareness and inspire others to contribute to bringing light to the world of childhood cancer.