Kellsie's Hope Foundation

Kellsie was a remarkable young woman who infused all those around her with her heartwarming smile and sparkling personality. Her bravery and determination were inspirational and her faith was unyielding. Though she faced cancer 3 times in her young life, Kellsie was focused on helping others. Kellsie's dream was to increase awareness of childhood cancer, support research for a cure and give kids who were victims of this terrible disease a reason to smile and have fun. Please help Kellsie's Hope Foundation keep Kellsie's dream alive with your donations!

This is Kellsie's story…
Fifteen year old Kellsie woke up one morning with her whole life ahead of her and enjoying all the things she loved: dancing and spending time with her friends. Little did she or her family know that she would soon be given a diagnosis that would forever change her life as she knew it, and put into motion a courageous battle against a relentless disease that would eventually take her life.

What began in November 2005 as leg pain, ended with visits to Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis for biopsies, scans and a diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a life threatening and aggressive form of bone cancer. Kellsies' treatment started in February 2006, which included 6 months of chemotherapy, a surgery to replace 4 inches of her shin bone with a metal prosthesis, and then another 6 months of chemotherapy. Kellsie spent more time at St. Louis Children's Hospital than she did at home.

IMAGINE IF YOUR CHILD WAS TOO SICK TO ATTEND SCHOO AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO STOP DOING ALL OF THE THINGS THEY LOVED.

IMAGINE HAVING TO TELL THEM THAT THEIR LIFE WOULD NOW BE ABOUT CHEMO TREATMENTS, BLOOD COUNTS AND HAIR LOSS.

Your donation can help put a smile on a child's face as they are fighting their battle to defeat cancer.

By January 2007, Kellsie was "Cancer Free!" and quickly started to regain control of her life. She returned to school and not only danced after being told she would never dance again, she won competitions and awards and started pursuing her love of nursing by taking vocational classes.
Kellsie's life was amazing for the next 3 years!! She fell in love, overcame a life threatening disease, and volunteered as a guest speaker for numerous groups that help kids and families cope with life after their diagnosis. Kellsie got engaged in Cinderella's Castle in Walt Disney World and Disney soon became known as Kellsie's Happiest Place on Earth!

Your donation can help other kids get a chance to enjoy what makes them happy!!

In May 2010, tragedy struck Kellsie for the second time when a chest x-ray showed that the osteosarcoma had metastasized to her right lung. Kellsie underwent another surgery in June where two thirds of her left lung was removed. Kellsie found refuge at Disney and was able to take several trips to her happy place. She also planned a Disney wedding.

Just a few months later, after Kellsie had only been taking classes for a month at Goldfarb School of Nursing, she began feeling discomfort in her shoulder and experienced wheezing and difficulty breathing. What seemed unthinkable happened…Kelsie was diagnosed with cancer for a third time. On October 12, 2010, the osteosarcoma returned to the remaining part of her right lung and the tumor was pressing against her heart. She immediately was admitted to ICU at Children's Hospital. The position of the tumor made it too risky for surgery so within the next few days, Kellsie was back into a Radiation and Chemotherapy to try and shrink the tumor. Kellsie tried to stay positive and kept her spirits up looking toward the future and never giving up hope that she would have her Sept 2011 "Princess Wedding".

WHAT IF YOUR CHILD WAS FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIFE INSTEAD OF ENJOYING THEIR CHILDHOOD?

Throughout the next year, Kellsie spent a lot of time in the hospital receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Kellsie kept fighting, remaining hopeful and determined that she was going to beat this disease. Kellsie received a weekend trip to Chicago and friends and her community blessed her with a Disney family vacation. At that time they didn't know that it would be their last family vacation together.

Unfortunately, Kellsie lost her battle with cancer on June 8th, 2011, but her spirit was never defeated.

WHAT IF THE PICTURES YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW OF YOUR CHILDREN AT THIS AGE WERE THE LAST PICTURES YOU WOULD EVER HAVE OF THEM?

Your donation can help fund research to find a cure for this terrible disease that won't leave our kids alone!!