Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Jonhelle

When Milagros was just 5 years old, her family’s life changed forever. In August of 2023, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), the most common type of childhood cancer. For Milagros family, the diagnosis came at an especially difficult time. They had recently moved to the U.S. from Mexico, still adjusting to a new language, navigating housing challenges, and finding their footing in a new community.

In honor of Brain Cancer Awareness Month, we’d like to introduce you to Keaton’s Kiddo Emily, a remarkable young fighter who has been part of our Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance family since 2018. “Our journey began in Aug 2018, Emily our 8-year-old was waking up everyday with headaches and throwing up in the morning. After a CT Scan, we were told a MRI was needed as they saw a mass in her brain. Worse fear ever is hearing they found a mass, and you would need to be admitted….

Today, on National Down Syndrome Day, we recognize that children with Down Syndrome are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop leukemia. This unique connection between childhood cancer and Down Syndrome—a reality for many families, including our beloved Keaton’s Kiddo, Joy.

While the focus is understandably on the child battling cancer, siblings face their own emotional challenges. They may experience feelings of worry, fear, confusion, or even guilt, and it’s important to acknowledge their role and provide support for them as well.