At just nine years old, Nataleigh has faced challenges far beyond her years. In May 2023, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) after weeks of emergency room visits and unexplained fevers. Her grandmother, who is raising her along with her four siblings, including her twin brother, refused to leave the hospital until doctors ran more tests. That persistence may have saved Nataleigh’s life.
The results were devastating: her hemoglobin levels had plummeted to just 3 (when they should have been around 12). She was rushed to Rady Children’s Hospital where she immediately received a blood transfusion, beginning a 2.5-year treatment plan filled with uncertainty, isolation, and exhaustion.
Despite the road ahead, Nataleigh remains a bright and bubbly spirit. She loves dolls, painting, scrapbooking, and dreams of one day becoming a hairstylist, makeup artist, teacher, or nurse.
Our mission is to create uplifting bedrooms for children battling cancer, spaces that help ease the burden of isolation and bring light during their darkest days. For Nataleigh, her dream room needed to be colorful, creative, and full of magical touches that reflected her personality and passions.
Her new bedroom now includes:
From the chandelier sparkling overhead to the thoughtful accessories around the room, every detail was chosen to bring Nataleigh peace, comfort, and joy as she continues her treatment journey. Check out the full photo gallery of her bedroom transfomraiton here.
This transformation was made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our community and partners. Special thanks to Tarra Vizenor of Tarra Vizenor Interior Design, who poured her talent and heart into creating a room that feels both magical and deeply personal for Nataleigh.
This project also carried a deeply personal contribution. The bedroom sponsorship was made possible through the generosity of the family and friends of our CEO, Kelly O'Donnell, who chose to honor the life of her father after he lost his battle with cancer in May 2025. Funds raised through his obituary were dedicated to Nataleigh’s room, creating a lasting legacy of love and support. His memory now lives on in a space that brings comfort, hope, and healing to a young girl facing her own fight with cancer.
When Nataleigh walked into her transformed room for the first time, her face lit up with pure joy. Dressed as princess, complete with a floral crown, she twirled, giggled, and immediately started exploring every magical detail. From the tea party setup to the castle mural, she was overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude.
Her room is now more than just a place to sleep, t’s a sanctuary of healing, creativity, and hope.
Nataleigh loves her room and keeps it in order and clean. She thanks God and your Dad every night, making her dream come true. I prayed that you would continue to bless other families. - Rose, Nataleigh's Grandmother
Designing Dreams is honored to have been part of Nataleigh’s journey. Her courage and resilience inspire us, and we are grateful to every single donor, volunteer, and partner who made her dream space possible.
Together, we are helping children like Nataleigh find joy, comfort, and hope while they bravely fight cancer.