Celebrating treatment success
On Sept. 4, Kennedie Bailey, 12, rang the traditional bell signaling the end of a long, difficult journey. After 54 weeks of treatment, she finished her last chemotherapy session and celebrated being cancer free.
“We are now getting used to our new normal. It is exciting and terrifying at the same time to end chemo. We had gotten used to our schedule being centered around chemo,” said her mother, Lindsey Bendele. “We wouldn’t have made it without the hospital staff, doctors, nurses, family and friends. They helped us move forward—one day at a time.”
Kennedie was diagnosed in June 2017 with rhabdomyosarcoma, a locally aggressive type of head and neck cancer. She underwent a rigorous treatment plan of chemotherapy and radiation in which she stayed in the hospital for five days of treatment, recovered at home for a week, and then returned to start the five-day regime again.
Because of her very personal experience with childhood cancer, Lindsey said she understands the importance of supporting cancer research. “I strongly believe in helping the researchers at the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute. These kids deserve a bright future.”
“Donating to research gives our children the opportunity to enjoy being normal kids and grow up to be adults. It makes their dreams of becoming researchers, doctors, barrel racers, veterinarians, lawyers and so much more a reality,” she said.
Lindsey is especially thankful to physicians and scientists who worked diligently to determine the best treatment plan for patients such as Kennedie. “She was able to start her seventh-grade year on Aug. 27. She loves being back in school and being with her friends. She can just be a regular kid again,” Lindsey added. “Our dream is for research to prevent other children from ever getting cancer.”
Please help us find more treatments and methods to cure children’s cancer
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