Childhood Cancer Warrior: Madi

Sarah L. and her family moved from the beautiful state of Washington to the small town of Collinsville, Oklahoma, about five years ago. She gets asked quite often, “What brought you all the way to Oklahoma from Seattle? A job?” her reply, “Yes, but God had much more planned for us in Oklahoma than just a job.”

Life in Collinsville was settling nicely until a sudden and shocking turn of events. Their youngest daughter, 10-year-old Madilyn—also known as Madi—was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). What began as a routine cold quickly turned into a serious and unexpected cancer diagnosis.

Sarah remembers the day everything changed: “We were told, ‘You have two hours to pack your things; you’re moving to Memphis, Tennessee for the next 6-9 months to receive treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.’” It was January 2020, and the family was about to face an unexpected and challenging journey.

For the next nine months, Madi went through a lot. She had several rounds of chemotherapy, went through painful procedures, and suffered from severe chemical burns on her hands, face, neck, and head. Sarah recalls the tough moments: “Madi had countless blood transfusions and several trips to the ICU, where we were told, ‘This is it, it’s time to hold her hand and say goodbye.’”

The situation was even more challenging because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Madi and Sarah had to stay away from the rest of their family and the outside world, making their journey even harder.

But Madi’s courage never faltered. Her battle with cancer was filled with ups and downs, but through every challenge, she remained strong and hopeful. Today, Madi is a vibrant 13-year-old who has triumphed over cancer. She is healthy, thriving, and a shining example of bravery and resilience.

Madi’s story is a heartwarming reminder of the incredible strength of the human spirit and the power of family and community support. Her journey inspires us all to face life’s challenges with hope and determination.