Willa Rose and Family

(*Update: It is devastating to share that on the morning of Thursday February 22nd, in the midst of the winds and dense clouds, Willa took her last breaths. She left this earth right before the rain started pouring from the sky and out of our hearts. She was with friends, her parents, and her grandparents, who showered her with love and blessed her into her new path. Jim and Jody are grateful and humbled by your generosity and love.)

This genius, vibrant, beautiful girl is very likely leaving this earth very soon, and the hearts of her parents and loved ones are immeasurably broken. Willa is a visionary who hardly took a break from creating beauty and joy in the world, through drawing, videography, and romping with friends. You've hardly seen someone with more passion. She's so bright, so unique- enigmatic must be the best word.

At the tender age of 9 months old, Willa developed an ependymoma. She endured three brain surgeries, scan after scan after scan, many tests and treatments. She was blessed with 5/6 years of NED - no existence of disease. Unfortunately, in June of last year, Willa was diagnosed with a new cancer, a radiation induced, high grade glioma. The family has exhausted any and all medical options.

As we fear that it is likely that we must say goodbye, my heart is most with her parents, who are truly some of the most brilliant, authentic, and loving people I've ever known. They are suffering in many ways, and neither has been able to work for the last several months as they've been fighting alongside Willa, whose name literally means "strong- willed warrior woman."

In the words of her mom, "the impact of her life is not measured in its chronological length."

We want to do all that we can to help with expenses at this time. Any and every single contribution to this fund matters.

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