My name is Thom Kelley. I've come here today desperately hoping that you will join with my family, our extended family, and our friends as we rally around my brother Sean, his wife Mandy, and their family to support them during this very scary and traumatic time for them and their daughter Bria.

Less than two weeks ago, my beautiful, brave and brilliant then-9-year-old niece was awaiting her 10th birthday to arrive on September 11th. She woke one morning feeling a bit sluggish and noticed a weird lump on the side of her face. She showed it to her Mom Mandy and Dad Sean, asking, "Do I have Cancer?" While they were obviously very concerned, they told her that they didn't know what the lump was and proceeded to take her to the hospital immediately.

The news they received and the time that has passed since have been every parent's worst nightmare come true. Bria was admitted, thoroughly tested and placed in the ICU. Sean and Mandy were blindsided to learn that she had Stage 3 Lymphoma. The medical team removed and biopsied two smaller tumors on the side of her neck, and put a port in her chest, administering the strongest dose of chemotherapy allowable. They placed her on dialysis as well, because her kidneys were only functioning at 25-30%. She also had fluid building in her lungs. It gets worse from there. As Lymphoma and Leukemia are very closely related, the medical team took marrow from each of Bria's hips to test for the latter. I'm sorry to report that she indeed has both Lymphoma and Leukemia.

This wonderful child is the youngest member of our extended family and she is the apple of our eyes. She is brilliant, beautiful, and bad-ass! Even with the godawful amount of stress and scariness when her parents and the doctors and counselors informed Bria of the results, she told her mom, “I’m gonna kick cancer’s ass.” This is not a girl who is inclined or allowed to use foul language, but she gets a pass on this one. If anyone can beat this by sheer determination and force of will it’s our Bria. This is a girl who taught herself how to be a contortionist in her spare time!

We Kelleys are a proud and honest family who would never dream of asking for help or donations except in the rarest and most terrible of circumstances. The good news is that children have around a 90% chance of beating these invasive diseases. Bria, her parents and her brother Ryan are beginning the journey to recovery, and it is going to be a long and difficult road. She will need weekly chemotherapy for at least 1.5-2 years. Sean, Mandy and Ryan will spare no expense and go hungry to help Bria battle this. We cannot let them starve or go bankrupt while they do everything possible to help their little girl.

Many people are out of work, there is a pandemic, and the economy is in shambles. I know this is a hard ask. Nonetheless, I implore you to please donate anything you can towards Bria's medical and living expenses.

Sean and I were raised by our own Ma and Dad to be honest, hardworking men. I give you my word of honor, and I speak for Sean in giving his: Every penny raised here will go directly to Bria's Battle. Nothing will be misspent or used for other purposes. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and our entire family does as well.

Bria loves getting mail. If you'd like to send her a belated birthday card, some encouraging words, or just a little note to brighten her day, you may send them to my house and I will pass them along to her Dad and Mom to give to her at their discretion.

Miss Bria Kelley
c/o Thomas Kelley
252 Revere Drive
Ballston Spa, NY
12020-2319