“The day July 26, 2022, was a day that would mark my life forever,” Kemely, a single working mother to her only child Haisley, wrote to the Compass to Care team.
Haisley was a bright, jolly 5-year-old who suddenly began complaining about leg pain, suffering from a fever, and eventually became unable to move her arm. What the mother-daughter duo assumed was simply a virus turned out to be a life-altering diagnosis—Haisley had Leukemia.
A mother’s instinct is to do anything in their power to protect their children, especially their only child and family member in a small family of two like Kemely and Haisley. But as the sole provider of this family, Kemely faced the difficult choice to either work and support them financially, or take care of her 5-year-old battling one of the scariest hindrances of life. It is Compass to Care’s mission though to support families facing these devastating circumstances and relieve any extenuating stressors so parents like Kemely can physically be with and emotionally support their kids. Compass to Care has sponsored 14 trips for Haisley and Kemely to participate in medical trials and treatments so that Haisley can grow up to be the doctor of her dreams.
Haisley’s aspirations for her future career path have recently taken an exciting turn from being a princess to being a doctor. Over the past six months, she’s had the opportunity to engage with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in a way that many people have not. In turn, this has fostered an amazingly deep admiration for their work and, despite her only being 5, Haisley is now eager to help others who are sick as well.
Beyond her ambitions in healthcare, Haisley is gearing up for some exciting personal milestones in the coming year! Alongside being an aspiring healthcare hero, she’s also looking forward to learning how to ride a bike and jump rope. Even at such a young age though, Haisley already has a list of accomplishments and talents under her belt including swimming, participating in various water activities, and being a world-class traveler. Kemely mentioned that the two have explored several states and countries together over the years where they like to sightsee and pick out souvenirs. Haisley’s top favorite places she has been thus far include New York, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Honduras.
Although cancer is a life-altering diagnosis, we should all take a tip out of Haisley’s book and approach every situation with a smile. Kemely stated that Haisley has a huge personality and is always up for a good time. Even amid this very hard circumstance, she is always smiling, laughing, and full of joy.
Kemely also gave a statement to any parents experiencing something similar where she emphasized the power and strength the innocence of a child holds— “My biggest advice to other parents who have recently received a child cancer diagnosis would be to hold on to God. This is not an easy process but we are part of an elite group of people! We get to be parents to the most amazing children ever! We were chosen. Through this battle, I have found strength in my daughter. They are so much stronger and more resilient than we think. Take each day one day at a time, knowing that we are one day closer to the end of this nightmare. God traded me beauty for ashes because in the midst of the worst diagnosis we could have ever received, we found grace, mercy, love, and strength but most of all, we found hope! You are not alone and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”