Caring for Claire
Donation protected
Claire is fighting a battle that no child should ever have to battle - the fight against pediatric cancer.
Claire is thoughtful, bright, sweet, and beautiful inside and out. Claire is our 11-year-old daughter. She has an older brother Jaxson (12 years old), a younger brother Benny (10), and her two beloved dogs, Charlie and Tucker.
Claire was in her usual state of health until she began experiencing headaches. Over the next several weeks, the headaches increased in frequency and intensity. Claire started to take migraine medication, hoping this would help. It seemed to have little impact on the headaches. Claire continued to battle headaches.
On March 18, Claire’s headaches became so bad that she experienced vomiting followed by seizure-like activity and became unresponsive. We quickly called EMS, and she was transported to the local hospital. Claire was transferred to UWHealthKids American Family Children’s Hospital PICU for further evaluation and tests. Shortly after arriving, Claire’s medical team explained that Claire was experiencing renal failure and PRES syndrome (swelling in the brain) due to a large tumor in her abdomen which was obstructing her kidneys from effectively removing toxins from her body. The next day pathology results confirmed any family’s biggest fear; Claire was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. Wednesday afternoon, we met with members of Claire’s medical team to go over the official pathology results, treatment, and her roadmap for treatment. We learned that the type of cancer Claire has is an extremely rare pediatric cancer. They told us that they wanted to begin treatment as soon as possible - that evening. That evening Claire started her first chemotherapy cycle in the PICU.
Currently, Claire is completing her 4th cycle of chemotherapy and has been a fierce warrior throughout her treatment. Claire has had quite a challenging course of treatment with fevers and numerous other complications. Claire has spent a significant amount of the time since diagnosis admitted for treatment. She was diagnosed 86 days ago and has been at her treatment hospital for 76 of those days. In addition, her treatment facility is an hour and a half drive each way. Claire has missed out on many things, including the ability to attend her school where she was in 5th grade, being around family and friends, and just being a normal kid eleven-year-old girl. Through all of this, she continues to maintain her positive attitude despite the many hard things she does with such grace on a daily basis.
As a result of Claire being hospitalized so frequently and for extended stays, Mom has taken an unpaid leave of absence from work to help care for and support Claire while she is in treatment. Dad continues to work hard to make ends meet and care for our two boys, but this has had a significant financial impact on our family. We are starting this Go Fund Me account due to going from a dual household income to a single household income which has been challenging and incredibly taxing on our family. Over the continued days, weeks, and months ahead, there will continue to be countless doctor appointments, hospital stays, and surgeries. We are asking for support to continue focusing on our family, Claire’s health, and fighting this horrific disease called pediatric cancer.
We thank you for reading our story and humbly ask that you share this link with friends and family.
We thank you for your prayers and continued support!
Tim & Lindsay Campbell (Dad & Mom)
Claire is thoughtful, bright, sweet, and beautiful inside and out. Claire is our 11-year-old daughter. She has an older brother Jaxson (12 years old), a younger brother Benny (10), and her two beloved dogs, Charlie and Tucker.
Claire was in her usual state of health until she began experiencing headaches. Over the next several weeks, the headaches increased in frequency and intensity. Claire started to take migraine medication, hoping this would help. It seemed to have little impact on the headaches. Claire continued to battle headaches.
On March 18, Claire’s headaches became so bad that she experienced vomiting followed by seizure-like activity and became unresponsive. We quickly called EMS, and she was transported to the local hospital. Claire was transferred to UWHealthKids American Family Children’s Hospital PICU for further evaluation and tests. Shortly after arriving, Claire’s medical team explained that Claire was experiencing renal failure and PRES syndrome (swelling in the brain) due to a large tumor in her abdomen which was obstructing her kidneys from effectively removing toxins from her body. The next day pathology results confirmed any family’s biggest fear; Claire was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. Wednesday afternoon, we met with members of Claire’s medical team to go over the official pathology results, treatment, and her roadmap for treatment. We learned that the type of cancer Claire has is an extremely rare pediatric cancer. They told us that they wanted to begin treatment as soon as possible - that evening. That evening Claire started her first chemotherapy cycle in the PICU.
Currently, Claire is completing her 4th cycle of chemotherapy and has been a fierce warrior throughout her treatment. Claire has had quite a challenging course of treatment with fevers and numerous other complications. Claire has spent a significant amount of the time since diagnosis admitted for treatment. She was diagnosed 86 days ago and has been at her treatment hospital for 76 of those days. In addition, her treatment facility is an hour and a half drive each way. Claire has missed out on many things, including the ability to attend her school where she was in 5th grade, being around family and friends, and just being a normal kid eleven-year-old girl. Through all of this, she continues to maintain her positive attitude despite the many hard things she does with such grace on a daily basis.
As a result of Claire being hospitalized so frequently and for extended stays, Mom has taken an unpaid leave of absence from work to help care for and support Claire while she is in treatment. Dad continues to work hard to make ends meet and care for our two boys, but this has had a significant financial impact on our family. We are starting this Go Fund Me account due to going from a dual household income to a single household income which has been challenging and incredibly taxing on our family. Over the continued days, weeks, and months ahead, there will continue to be countless doctor appointments, hospital stays, and surgeries. We are asking for support to continue focusing on our family, Claire’s health, and fighting this horrific disease called pediatric cancer.
We thank you for reading our story and humbly ask that you share this link with friends and family.
We thank you for your prayers and continued support!
Tim & Lindsay Campbell (Dad & Mom)
Organizer
Lindsay Campbell
Organizer
Pecatonica, IL