Hope for Harper

Harper Rain is a beautiful, 4 month old, baby girl who is facing a long road of fight ahead of her.

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Harper was not doing great. Her parents took her into the pediatrician who sent them to the ER for more testing. The testing in the ER l lead to an ambulance ride to Iowa City. After more extensive testing a large mass on Harper’s right kidney was found. About 95% of Harper’s kidney was being affected by the mass and kidney needed to be removed.

On Friday, October 4th, Harper underwent surgery to remove the kidney and mass. After some preliminary testing of the mass and kidney (not everything is final quite yet) the news was shared on Monday, October 7th, that Harper’s mass was a Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor (MRT). Which is a very rare - approximately only 1 in a million kids have this type of tumor and unfortunately it is a very aggressive cancer.

After a whirlwind of a week, Harper and her parents got to go home on Tuesday, October 8th. They will go back sometime next week to have a port inserted. Once Harper’s port is placed, she will start chemo and radiation.

Please be patient with their family as all of this news came very suddenly and is a lot of news to digest about their 4 month old baby girl.

All of this news also comes with a lot of financial burden to Jill and Chase. There will be time out of work, frequent traveling to and from Iowa City, meals and stays away from home, and other necessities that inevitably cost money. My hope is everyone who loves this family will pull together and help take some of that stress and burden off their plate. Jill and Chase deserve not to worry about choosing to be with their daughter or finding income to pay for their bills and necessities.

Jill has also asked that people please send thoughts, prayer, whatever kinds of positive vibes people believe in their way.

Thank you everyone for reading this far. Jill and Chase are so grateful for you.

Madison Phetmanysay

(Jill’s childhood best friend)