Our Heroes, Their Stories - Kids Beating Cancer

Children’s Stories drive us to do more!

Brady’s Story

Brady was 7 years old when he was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. In 2019, Brady received a transplant in the Kids Beating Cancer Pediatric Transplant Center. His older sister Madeline was his marrow donor. Brady’s favorite sport is basketball. His “My Room” theme was the Orlando Magic. Brady will continue to show his huge heart and energy to the world.

In Memory of Scarlett

Scarlett and her mom tell the story of Scarlett’s journey through treatment and two transplants receiving at the Kids Beating Cancer Pediatric Transplant Center at AdventHealth for Children. Scarlett was able to meet her anonymous donor, Alayna, during the 2021 Kids Beating Cancer Hats & Heroes Ball in Orlando.

Fiona’s Story

Fiona’s Story of receiving a bone marrow transplant at the Kids Beating Cancer Pediatric Transplant Center at AdventHealth for Children, before she gets to meet her life saving donor at 2019 Kids Beating Cancer Hats & Heroes Ball in Orlando.

In Memory of Michael

Michael battled multiple health conditions — a congenital heart defect, a rare autoimmune disorder and Lymphoma. In November 2016, Michael underwent a bone-marrow transplant at the Kids Beating Cancer Pediatric Transplant Center. None of Michael’s relatives were a match for the transplant, but physicians did find a match in an anonymous donor across the country. In September 2018, Michael met his life-saving donor for the first time — 21-year-old Laura, who traveled from Seattle, Washington to meet him.

Grayson & Jay’s Stories | Two Stories, Two Boys

Celebrating 25 years of helping kids beating cancer. Saving Lives — One Transplant at a Time.

Mandy

Mandy was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma in November 2011, had six rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, a 10-hour tumor re-section, two autologous (self) stem cell transplants at the Kids Beating Cancer Pediatric Transplant Center at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando on May 21, 2012 and on July 18, 2012, radiation and six months of antibody therapy. Mandy was off treatment for almost two years when she relapsed in March 2015. Since she last relapsed, she’s done 22 more cycles of chemotherapy and is still active in treatment. Mandy loves to sing, do ballet, arts and crafts and play with her American Girl^® dolls.

In Memory of Cashmere

Cashmere, was diagnosed with leukemia in October 2013 and finished chemotherapy treatment in February 2016. Cashmere relapsed with leukemia in July 2016 after a bone marrow biopsy. She received a bone marrow transplant in December 2016 at the Kids Beating Cancer Pediatric Transplant Center from an unrelated donor. She was a free spirit with a lot of pizzazz. She loved to dance, dress up and be an artist. She wanted to grow up to be a child life specialist. She loved to play with her American Girl Dolls^®, Grace and Lea, and visit the princesses at Walt Disney World.

Mikala

At the age of two, Mikala was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), went into remission and then was diagnosed at age 15 with myelodysplastic syndrome. She was the 12^th child transplanted at the Kids Beating Cancer Pediatric Transplant Center at AdventHealth for Children Orlando, previously known as Florida Hospital for Children. She was the first patient to receive an unrelated donor transplant on June 21, 2012. Mikala met her anonymous donor at 2014’s Hats & Heroes Ball in Orlando. Today, Mikala is attending Rollins College and is a Kids Beating Cancer ambassador.

In Memory of Theo

Theo was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. He was the 13^th child to be transplanted at the Kids Beating Cancer Pediatric Transplant Center on August 9, 2012 and the second patient to receive an unrelated donor. Theo was in the Kids Beating Cancer Transplant Center at AdventHealth for Children Orlando, previously known as Florida Hospital for Children, for 263 days. He received years of dialysis three days a week while he awaited for a kidney transplant.