This is my second year riding in the Courage Classic! I ride to give hope to Children’s Hospital Colorado patients like me!
I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in November 2019. I wasn't feeling well for a few days. I didn't have much energy and had a fever. One night my mom took me to the emergency room at Children's Hospital. Before I knew it, I was brought to the trauma room and was hooked up to oxygen and lots of blood samples and x-rays were being taken by hospital staff. I remember seeing my mom crying and I asked her if she was ok. She looked so scared.
I was rushed to the Children's Hospital main campus. After I arrived at the hospital, I was put in a ventilator. Sadly, the ventilator wasn't enough to help me get enough oxygen, so I was put on life support for 17 days, until I was well enough to be taken off.
I spent almost a month in the PICU where amazing doctors, nurses, and other staff members helped me get better. I didn't find out that it was cancer that made me so sick until I got better and I was taken off life support and sedation. It must have been so hard for the child life specialist and my parents to have to give me the bad news.
I spent about a week on the oncology floor. The staff was so smart and so nice to me. They made me feel better about being there by talking to me, laughing with me and getting to know ME.
I have now been off treatment for about two years. I am going to be a freshman in high school!! I can't wait to experience all the fun of high school.
Cancer is mean. Cancer is hard. It took my hair, but not my spirit.
I am riding with the "Wheels for Justice" team. The money we raise will benefit the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The people who work in this center are the most awesome people who worked so hard to get me better and keep my spirit alive. They are so much fun and have gotten to know ME so well! I LOVE seeing them when I come in for check-ups!! I will never forget what they have done for me.
Last year I raised $4,437.44!! I am hoping to crush that amount this year! I even made the Top 100 fundraisers last year. I am so proud of that!
Thank you Children's Hospital Colorado for helping me kick cancer, so I could get a second chance to be a kid!
