Help Support 8-Year-Old Kayden Heath-Conklin as She Fights a Brain Stem Tumor

If you’ve ever spent time inside The Concrete Rose Dance Academy, then you already know Kayden. She’s the little girl with the bright smile, the sparkly personality, and the kind of joy that makes you feel lighter just by being near her. Dance isn’t just an activity for Kayden — it’s a part of who she is. In fact, she took her very first steps inside our studio.

Kayden has been in The Concrete Rose family literally since birth. Her mom is our beloved baton instructor, so Kayden grew up in our hallways, our lobby, our classrooms. By age 2, she became an official member of the academy and has been blooming with us ever since. For eight years, she has danced, laughed, twirled, and shined across our floors like the beautiful rose she is.

But hold up! Life has suddenly taken a turn no child should ever face.

Recently, Kayden was diagnosed with a tumor on her brain stem — a devastating and terrifying diagnosis for any family. This brave, sweet girl now has a long road ahead as she begins radiation treatment. Her treatments are located over an hour away from her home each way, meaning her family must secure short-term housing closer to the hospital to ensure she receives the care she needs every single day.

Let’s think about what that means for a family: the emotional toll, the travel, the time away… and the financial strain that becomes overwhelming overnight.

Kayden’s parents are now having to step away from work to care for her full-time. Along with the mounting medical bills, they still have to keep life stable and safe for their three other children at home. From housing to gas, food, utilities, and the unimaginable costs that come with terminal or life-threatening cancers — this journey is financially crushing.

Our goal is to raise $20,000 to help Kayden’s family cover:

Ongoing medical bills

Temporary housing near the hospital

Daily travel and treatment-related expenses

Household bills so their other children remain supported

Time away from work so both parents can care for Kayden around the clock

Kayden has given our dance family so much joy over the years — her laughter, her spirit, her courage, her blooming little heart. Now it’s our turn to lift her up.

We’re asking our community, friends, family, and anyone whose heart feels pulled to help: please donate. Any amount, big or small, makes a difference. And if you’re unable to give financially, sharing this campaign is another powerful way to support her.

This journey will be long. It will be expensive. And it will require more love than one family can carry alone. But together? Let’s rally around Kayden and show her just how many people are standing with her.

Thank you for helping this beautiful 8-year-old girl and her family fight toward healing, stability, and hope.

With love, faith, and gratitude —

The Concrete Rose Dance Academy Family

“You can bloom anything with time, attention, intention, and passion.”