Felicity Smith is your typical two year old, full of life, love, and big feelings. Felicity’s struggles started in September when her ability to walk and play was severely hampered by a then unknown cause. It was a long, arduous journey through orthopedics with x-rays and blood draws. She then was passed onto the rheumatism specialist who was looking into the possibility of juvenile arthritis. She was subject to more x-rays and blood tests and had an MRI scheduled when we noticed certain side effects happening. Unexplained bruising was the most obvious. We had another blood draw done, and that's when the news hit us hard; she was diagnosed with Leukemia just two months after the birth of her baby brother Ezra and one day after her mother Taryn had returned to work. 

The doctors expect a hospital stay of one solid for Phase 1 of Felicity’s treatment and 2.5 years of periodic stays for continuing treatment. She will have to receive chemotherapy throughout this process. Felicity loves people (big and small) and is fiercely independent and go, go, go which has been difficult with chemo treatments. She enjoys playing pretend and learning new things. Her favorite pastimes are watching Minions, Toy Story, Frozen, or Bubble Guppies; having books read to her; playing outside; and helping with whatever Mom and Dad are doing. The hardest thing for us as parents to watch is her grimace with pain while she is determined to play with her friends. She would crawl if she had to before she stopped trying to play. It was truly the embodiment of the human spirit and will to experience life and do it with joy. 

The struggle is already a difficult one, but unfortunately the hospital is 1.5 hours away from home. Both Taryn and myself (Andrew) are off work to help Felicity through this process, but having an infant son it makes it extra risky. Just this past week, Felicity developed RSV, which is a much bigger threat to her little brother. Having to juggle a 2 year old with cancer and a 2 month old that needed to stay away from her is certainly an added challenge. The doctors have given Felicity a strong prognosis, but unfortunately the medical costs and financial burden of missing work add up quickly. The funds raised for Felicity's fight will be used to help provide medical and general aide as our family goes through this trial together.