Meet Caeleigh – Leukemia Warrior

"Caeleigh continues to amaze us every day with her grace, poise and tolerance for her disease and its treatment" - Caeleigh’s mom.

At the age of twelve, Caeleigh was an active, vibrant and healthy girl. She was an incredibly talented competitive swimmer, even earning her personal best times at her last swim meet. But, it was after that meet when her parents noticed bruises began to form – something that did not concern them greatly since Caeleigh often had bruises from climbing out of the pool. However, their concern grew when she woke up with a severe bloody nose and spiked a 103 degree fever a few days later. Her mother, Tracey just knew something was very wrong. Their pediatrician sent them to Boston’s Children’s Hospital for testing. Caeleigh’s blood levels were critically low and she needed immediate transfusions. Not wanting to alarm Caeleigh, doctors spoke with Tracey in private – breaking the news that her daughter had leukemia. Caeleigh was scheduled for surgery the next day and began her chemotherapy soon after.

Caeleigh stayed in the hospital for eight weeks, followed by outpatient visits to a nearby treatment center almost daily. The costs of travel quickly accumulated and Tracey reached out to the NCCS for help. The organization provided financial support for travel expenses so that Caeleigh and her family could focus on what’s important – getting her better again. “We are so grateful and appreciative of the travel assistance the NCCS has given to us. Caeleigh continues to amaze us every day with her grace, poise and tolerance for her disease and its treatment. She was meant to conquer this cancer,” said Tracey.