This is my niece, Elyn Hope … a spunky, fun, loving, energetic 10-year-old … and the bravest girl I know.  She is the perfect mix of a girly girl and a tomboy, getting her nails done one day to baiting her own fishing hook the next.  She loves baking with her mom and sister and fishing with her dad.  She is a lover of animals (girl after my own heart) and has two dogs waiting for her at home.  Elyn is active in basketball, soccer and recently just made a club volleyball team, which she was really excited about.  She enjoys all things outdoors and can be found hanging out at the lake much of the summer swimming, tubing and learning how to wakeboard.  If you were to ask her to list some of her favorite things, she will give a common pre-teen answer: Starbucks and slime.  But above all, this girl loves big.  She adores every one of her cousins, looks forward to time spent with grandmas and grandpas, and has the best time with her friends.

 

This week, Elyn was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma.  Fortunately, it was found early and the amazing doctors at Children’s Hospital are very optimistic that she will make a full recovery with treatment.  However, the treatment won’t be easy - what cancer treatment is?

 

Elyn is currently still in the hospital as her kidneys aren’t up to handling the chemo quite yet.  There is a good chance that she won’t make it home in time for Christmas.  Which is extremely hard on a girl who loves her family/friend time.  Tracy and Kaily are hardworking, devoted parents who are trying to balance life in the hospital with Elyn and life at home (4 hours away) with their 5-year-old daughter Alex. Treatment will require multiple trips from home back to Denver for Elyn to receive chemo, with each stay lasting 3-4 days.

 

Tracy and Kaily are both humbled and thankful for the outpouring of love and support already shown thus far by family, friends, employers, schools and everyone in their community.  They are definitely blessed with an amazing support system.  Whether it’s a small donation, a share of this page or a prayer, all of us would be eternally grateful for any kind of support you can give as they navigate life during this difficult time.

 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

❤️ Aunt Heidi