Room number 20! We wrapped up a dream bedroom for a bright, cheery 7 year-old girl, Cecilia in St. Paul, Minnesota October 2019. Her journey with cancer all began in the winter of 2018 after she started to grow pale and more fatigued over the course of a month. December 1, 2018 Cecilia, particularly a strong swimmer, was barely able to stay afloat after short distances. At urgent care, she was found to have such low blood counts that they were directed to go to the hospital immediately. On December 3 of 2019, Cecilia and her family were given the final diagnosis of leukemia. Since that time, Cecilia has had countless appointments, chemo treatments and hospital stays. She experienced an immediate allergic reaction after her first dose of chemo and as a result has had an alternative chemo regimen. She will continue to a long treatment course until April of 2021.

Cecilia continues to be a happy, goofy girl who loves all things animals, especially puppies! She even wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. Her favorite color is green, and her favorite thing to do in her room is to read. In her free time she loves playing piano, playing with her siblings, going to the park, working on arts and crafts, and spending time with friends and family. Cecilia’s parents have said that she is handling her diagnosis and treatment like a champion, and they are so grateful for all of the angels on earth helping lift them up through this difficult time. Cecilia's insisted on keeping up with and going to school, piano lessons, swimming, soccer, etc. Her spirit is far from broken and she is the marvel of her care team at Children's Minneapolis, because she shows up for every treatment happy, laughing and having a good time. With the long road ahead, we were so excited to be transforming her space into everything she could want and more!

by Kelly O'Donnell

Executive Director

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