Help Leila Fight IMT!

Hi, my name is Shannon, and I’m reaching out to ask for support for my brave daughter Leila, who has been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer: Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor (IMT) with an ALK gene mutation.

IMT is a rare soft tissue tumor, especially in children. It affects fewer than 100 children in the U.S. each year and can grow aggressively in critical areas — in Leilas case, it was found in the inside the bronchial tubes of the lungs. This type of cancer is so rare that many doctors have never seen it in their careers.

After 2 years of unexplained symptoms, constant pneumonias, countless tests, and multiple hospital visits, we finally had a diagnosis — and our world turned upside down. The tumor is ALK-positive, which means targeted therapy could help, but it’s expensive, not always covered by insurance, and often comes with side effects and uncertainty.

Since Leila’s diagnosis with IMT, everything in our lives has changed. She now requires constant medical care, hospital visits, and emotional support — which means I’ve had to stop working and stop school. As many of you know, I am Leila's only caregiver and provider. Leila can no longer attend school regularly. Our days are now filled with doctor appointments, treatment schedules, and managing side effects. The financial strain is growing as we face mounting medical bills with no stable income, all while trying to provide a sense of normalcy for Leila and keep our family strong.

What We’re Facing:

Specialist care and rare treatments

Frequent travel to children’s hospitals and specialists

Costly medications and scans

Unpaid time off work to be full-time caregiver

Potential future surgeries or clinical trials

We are doing everything we can to fight this, but we can’t do it alone. Every donation — big or small — will go directly toward helping Leila get the best possible care. Your support means:

Access to life-saving treatments

Comfort items during hospital stays

Transportation, food, and lodging for out-of-town appointments

Hope, stability, and strength for our family

If you can’t give, please consider sharing this page. Awareness of IMT is low, and sharing our story could help not only us but others fighting this silent battle.

Thank you for being part of Leila’s village.

With love and gratitude,

Shannon and Leila

#IMTAwareness #TeamLeila #RareButReal #FollowingLeilasFootsteps