Congratulations to Compass to Care kid Alyson for finishing chemotherapy! After being diagnosed in February of 2018 with AT/RT cancer in her lower spine, Aly went through a 5 ½ hour surgery to remove the tumor. Then, it was four weeks at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to teach herself how to walk again. She got an Ommaya reservoir placed in her skull and a Central Line.

Her treatment was scheduled for 52 weeks, with a chemo session every three weeks. During radiation she and her mom, Tricia, lived at a Ronald McDonalds house for 7 weeks. They also spent countless nights at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital because of all the fevers. They were transported via ambulance to Lurie’s and then back and forth to radiation. Aly went back into Shirley Ryan again for physical therapy for another 5 weeks. She was constantly on the road, shuttling from home to the hospital and back again. With Compass to Care’s help, her family was able to cover the costs of gasoline and parking.

Today, Aly is finished with chemo and is slowly but surely making progress in physical therapy. An avid swimmer, she can’t wait to get back in the pool as soon as her Central Line comes out. Her other interests include arts and crafts, soccer, and riding her adaptive bike.

Aly’s mom Tricia said that their compass throughout Aly’s journey was hope. “We live day to day and try to find the rainbow in every day we have with Aly and her brother Andrew.” Here’s to Aly and her mom for never giving up hope for a brighter tomorrow!