,
March
28, 2026
Panther Island Pavilion
Meet Our Ambassadors
Patient Ambassadors represent the hundreds of children diagnosed with pediatric cancers every year. They’ve shared their stories to show others they’ll never walk alone.
Aiden
Aiden was 4 years old when he was diagnosed with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Aiden underwent chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and CAR T-cell therapy. When Aiden’s cancer relapsed for a third time, his mom Erica began reaching out to other hospitals. She heard a heartbreaking response: “We can give you time, but we can’t give you a cure.” But Cook Children's gave her hope for Aiden's future. Aiden’s doctors proposed a bold plan: a second bone marrow transplant with Erica as his donor. And it worked! Aiden and his family saw that at Cook Children’s, the promise was always that they were going to figure it out and they would figure it out together.
Marlee
At 3 years old, Marlee was diagnosed with neuroblastoma after frequent fevers and illness sent her family on a quest for answers. She immediately began chemotherapy, but her cancer didn’t respond to standard treatment. Now 7 years old, immunotherapy and stem cell treatments are helping her fight the disease. Marlee’s family participates in The Blast to help raise the funds that bring new treatment options and research trials to Cook Children’s. Marlee’s mom Lani shared, “It’s inspiring that people take time out of their weekends to celebrate these kids and all they’ve been through. I love that support for Marlee. I know she feels it.”
Kylie
Kylie was in second grade when frequent trips to the school nurse led to a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia B cell. She brought her signature spunk and can-do attitude to three years of treatment at Cook Children's, counting on her strong community to support her every step of the way. During the course of her treatment, Kylie developed avascular necrosis in her bones and will need joint replacements as a result. She doesn't let that get in the way of her dream to become a rodeo star! Kylie proudly rang the bell at the end of her active treatment in May 2025.
