Meet Lola – Leukemia Warrior
Maria shared, “We’ve had a lot of financial strain with this life-altering diagnosis. This assistance has helped us to keep healthy foods available to Lola and the rest of our family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
At just 5 years old, Lola radiates a spirit and strength that defies her young age. Her journey with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) began in March of 2024—just months after her 4th birthday—and it quickly became clear to everyone around her: this little girl was a fighter.
Living in a rural area meant the closest children’s hospital was more than two hours away, but distance never stood in the way of Lola’s care. What began with a few bruises on her legs, chest, and back—a detail many might have overlooked—became a mother’s intuition that saved her daughter’s life. Maria, Lola’s mom, trusted her gut and made an appointment with their pediatrician. That visit set into motion a whirlwind: a phone call urging them to drive to their nearest children’s hospital immediately for further testing. “A drive that took us two hours to make seemed like eternity,” Maria recalled.
On March 14, 2024, Lola was officially diagnosed with leukemia. She was admitted to the hospital that very night and remained inpatient for over two weeks. In those early days, with so much uncertainty surrounding them, the hospital’s Child Life Specialists helped Lola and her two older brothers—Isaiah and Sawyer—understand what was happening in a way that felt safe. Lola’s “blood was sick,” they explained, and the medicine would help her get better. Her brothers became fiercely protective, their lives also turned upside down by the diagnosis.
Because they caught it early, Lola was considered low-risk, and she immediately began treatment – her plan consisting solely of chemotherapy—delivered through her port, lumbar punctures, and oral medication. After her initial 18-day hospital stay, Lola was so weak that she had to relearn how to walk. But with the help of her family, farm life, and two active older brothers, she was soon up and moving again, proving day by day just how strong she really is.
Maria shared, “Lola has always been a fighter. She was climbing a tree for the first time with her brother a day before this journey all began. She has always chosen to ‘fight’ rather than ‘flight’ in all situations. Lola has had to overcome so many obstacles at such a young age. She’s our hero and is the toughest little girl we’ve ever met!”
Still, it hasn’t been easy. Six months into treatment, her immune system took a hard hit during a more intense phase of chemotherapy. This meant missing out on a big milestone: starting preschool. Lola was devastated, but Maria knew it was best to wait until her immune system was stronger. Through it all, they clung to small joys, like evening bike rides where Lola’s spirit would shine. She didn’t want to stop pedaling—even when treatment had worn her down.
There were many challenges. Lola lost her beautiful blonde curls, something that was especially hard for her emotionally. To ease the loss, Lola’s family made the experience playful, offering her a variety of hats and wigs to choose from and even introducing the “hair fairy,” who left a special gift in exchange for the locks she placed under her pillow. Today, her curls are growing back, and her radiant smile has only gotten brighter.
Bath time also became a hurdle. She used to look forward to bath time, but as treatment continued, Lola found it hard to enjoy again. For a while, she only took baths if her mom was in the tub with her—just one of many examples of how deeply cancer impacted even the simplest parts of her life. And yet, with love and time, Lola found her comfort again.
Some chemotherapy cycles hit harder than others, often requiring repeated trips to the hospital. But recently, Lola’s care has shifted, and she can now take most of her chemo at home in pill form. Her family looks forward to May 20, 2026—the day she’ll take her last dose!
Lola is a “daddy’s girl” through and through. She’s happiest outdoors—riding her bike, fishing, zooming around on a dirt bike, or playing with her animals. She also loves crafts, climbing trees, singing, swimming, and roasting marshmallows around the campfire. She’s silly, spunky, kind, smart, and full of personality. She also loves “being pretty” by dressing up, painting her nails, and accessorizing—though she has just as much fun covered in mud. Her appetite for life is matched only by her love for food, and she’s always asking what her next snack will be.
Recently, Lola ditched her training wheels and now proudly rides her bike like a pro—sometimes even hopping on her big brother’s. Her determination is infectious. Maria recalls a special memory that particularly stands out was when a fellow student returned to school after undergoing multiple surgeries, Lola was “super excited that she was back at school and feeling better.”
Lola and her family have faced tremendous hardship—heartache, fear, and the pain of watching their daughter suffer. But they’ve also found moments of joy, strength, and grace they never expected. Their small-town community, extended family, and generous support from organizations like The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) have helped carry them through.
How We Helped
Through the Emergency Assistance Fund and Transportation Assistance Fund, the NCCS has helped lighten the financial burdens of frequent travel and ensured that healthy meals remained on the table for Lola and her brothers. Lola received “Sammie’s New Mask,” a coloring book to help her make sense of her diagnosis, and Maria found guidance and comfort in “The Other Side of the Mountain: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving Childhood Cancer,” provided by the NCCS, including emotional encouragement. The support of their case manager, Angie, has been especially meaningful. Maria shared, “We’ve had a lot of financial strain with this life-altering diagnosis. This assistance has helped us to keep healthy foods available to Lola and the rest of our family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
For families just beginning this journey, Maria offers this advice: “You are not alone. There are so many people and organizations who want to help you, and it’s okay to let them. There is support out there for you. It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to be angry. You will go through a rollercoaster of emotions. Don’t keep it all bottled up. Having a child diagnosed with cancer is not only a physical battle for them, but a mental battle for you. It’s okay to get help for yourself and it’s important to take care of yourself.”
Lola’s words of encouragement to other kids facing cancer: “I hope that you are okay. I hope that you get through it, and KICK IT’S BUTT!”
Lola is still in the fight—but she’s winning every day in her own brave way. From the bike rides to the classroom, from moments of exhaustion to bursts of energy, Lola continues to remind us all: childhood may be altered by cancer, but it should never be defined by it. She is a light and a joyful reminder that strength comes in even the smallest of packages.
She is a warrior. She is joy. She is Lola.