Meet Serenity – Sarcoma Warrior
Serenity’s mother, Dawn, shared, “We would like to say thank you to anyone who helps contribute to this organization to lighten the load on many families. My baby girl is so full of love and life and she is our hero!”
Serenity’s mother, Dawn, shared, “We would like to say thank you to anyone who helps contribute to this organization to lighten the load on many families. My baby girl is so full of love and life and she is our hero!”
Serenity’s family had no idea their lives were about to change when they discovered a small knot on her elbow. After noticing the knot was starting to make her hand swell, they rushed Serenity to the ER, where she had a biopsy. Families are never prepared for the moment where they may have to hear the words “your child has cancer.” Dawn, Serenity’s mother, could have never prepared herself enough to hear those words and for what was to come.
In September of 2021, Serenity was diagnosed with stage 3 Rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of cancer that develops in the soft tissue. Serenity is the youngest daughter of four. She is 9 years-old now, but during her treatment and diagnosis last year, it was a trying time for her family. Her siblings had so many questions, but none of them could really be answered until Dawn and Serenity were back home from treatment. Dawn and Serenity had to travel 350 miles away from home to receive treatment in Memphis, Tennessee. Countless hours at the hospital really took a toll on Serenity’s mother because she wanted to be there for her other kids as well. While Dawn was caring for Serenity away from home, her 18-year-old was at home taking care of their siblings, who were 9 and 12 years-old.
Dawn had to take a leave of absence from her job at the church’s daycare with unpaid leave, but she knew that she needed to be there every step of the way with her daughter. No matter the circumstances, or what obstacles they would run into financially, Dawn recognized this was what she needed to do in order to be there for Serenity.
Dawn’s world felt like it crashed, but she looked to Serenity for inspiration. “My baby girl is so full of love and life and she is our hero,!” Dawn said.
In difficult times like this, a mother never knows what to expect, but knows she had to be strong for her baby girl. Serenity and her siblings were homeschooled before the diagnosis, and they continue to be homeschooled to this day as an extra precaution.
Serenity has not given up and keeps fighting. In between in-patient stays in Memphis, Serenity was able to return home, which was much-needed. Being in the comfort of her own home, back with her siblings, and returning to what feels more normal for her was very important.
The NCCS received the family’s application for assistance and shortly after, Dawn got help through our Emergency Assistance Fund to help cover the cost for their meals while they were away. They also received support through our Transportation Assistance Fund so that Serenity was able to receive the treatment that she needed in Memphis and would never miss an appointment. Their NCCS case manager also provided emotional support to Serenity’s mother after learning about her daughter’s diagnosis. Dawn and Serenity received free publications from our organization: The Other Side of the Mountain: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving Childhood Cancer and I Can Move Mountains, an activity book for patients to learn about themselves and their cancer journey in a way they can understand it. Dawn said, “This organization has helped us with inspiring tips and educational activities for the family. This organization has helped lighten the load financially with their contributions to our family. We are forever grateful.”
Serenity received amazing care during her treatment from a great team at her treatment center. Serenity and her sisters are so happy to be home together. Dawn and her family are forever grateful for the generosity of our donors, saying “We would like to say thank you to anyone who helps contributes to this organization to lighten the load on many families.”