Paisley is a happy, brave and spunky girl who loves to play, read and homeschool. She’s also a girl who has big dreams for her future.
“I see myself being a mom, having kittens, and maybe gardening. I probably want to be a nurse and I want to live near the hospital I work at,” Paisley said.
Since the beginning, Paisley has been selfless to others. Just after her third birthday, Paisley gave her older sister, Emma, the gift of life at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital. Paisley donated bone marrow and stem cells not once, but twice, for Emma’s two bone marrow transplants. She went from a high-energy little girl to receiving numerous injections, undergoing a harvest procedure and living in the hospital with Emma and their mom. Five months later, she did it all over again. Along her journey, Paisley learned how to support someone through chemotherapy and radiation by helping to take care of her sister physically and emotionally. From that moment on, Paisley and Emma were forever bonded.
A few years later, Paisley’s life changed again.
In April, as she was preparing to celebrate her 10th birthday, Paisley was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In May, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. During a follow-up appointment in June, doctors found a lump in her neck. Paisley’s care team moved quickly, and after two weeks of scans, biopsies and labs, Paisley was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma that had spread to her lymph nodes.
“We never expected to hear the words, ‘your child has cancer,’ from her doctor,” Paisley’s family said.
In July, Paisley went through a nine-hour surgery to remove her entire thyroid, around 100 lymph nodes, and as much of the cancer as possible. She stayed in the hospital for nearly a week due to some complications, but she would have gladly stayed longer if it meant more visits with Baron, one of the hospital’s therapy dogs. Paisley also connected with a child life music therapist, and the two talked about one of her favorite songs, which happens to be about finding peace. It could not have come at a more fitting time.
After surgery, Paisley’s oncologist and social worker connected the family with Four Diamonds. Paisley’s treatment continues at a hospital in Philadelphia, almost three hours away from their home, with additional care in Hershey, more than an hour away. Four Diamonds has helped Paisley’s family cover unexpected expenses, trips to and from hospitals, meals during the long days and emotional support for the difficulties Paisley had to face during her diagnosis.
In just a few weeks, Paisley’s days of playing and reading became filled with medications, injections and hospital visits. Cancer changes a child’s life in many different ways. Paisley has experienced anxiety, exhaustion and a growing fear of medical interventions, but her family knows she has what it takes to push through.
Paisley’s Penn State Health team, Four Diamonds, the THON™ community, her church family and her community have all helped lift her up in times of need. Paisley and her family have seen how much a child’s life can improve when they have something fun to look forward to with people who have so much care for her, and she is so excited for all of the upcoming THON events.
“Even in the hardest chapters, there is still room for joy, community and hope,” Paisley’s family said.
Paisley’s dream of becoming a nurse is fueled by her story: between caring for Emma and having a care team of her own, she has seen the impact that compassion can have on someone. Emma has dreams of her own, too, and because of Paisley, she has the chance to reach for them.
“I would like to have a bunch of kids, a German shepherd, and a house surrounded by tall trees. I want to work in some type of trade because I like working with tools,” Emma said.
During Dream Forward, we look to Paisley for inspiration on what it means to be selfless, compassionate and fearless. Paisley has shown so much courage to others at such a young age, and now we have the chance to show up for her. Together, we can fight for a day when kids just like Paisley get to focus on being a kid again, with dreams full of kittens, gardening and caring for others.
Just like Paisley and her family, every child and family impacted by childhood cancer has their own dreams they are reaching for, and they serve as a reminder of why we THON. We THON so that Four Diamonds families can grow up, set big goals and dream forward.
The Dream Forward campaign aims to raise $1.5 million For The Kids® to help dreams become a reality and to one day dance in celebration of a cure.
THON™ is able to donate 96 cents of every dollar raised to Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital because of supporters like you. Your generosity creates moments of joy for Four Diamonds children and families and empowers our volunteers through year-round events, fundraisers and THON Weekend.
