Adalee, called Ada by her family, is full of life, sassy and has one of the biggest hearts. She is kind, loving, caring and always willing to help. She loves 4H and her favorite show animals are lambs and pigs. She also loves her puppies, but does not like snakes, spiders or bugs!

A few weeks before her 5th birthday, Ada was acting as a typical 4-year-old little girl. She loved being outside helping her brothers work their show animals, so at first her parents didn’t think much of the multiple bruises on her legs. Then she was starting to look pale, and her appetite began to decrease. They took her in to make sure she didn't have a virus or infection, and everything was clear. They increased her fluids and her color started to improve. But then things drastically changed.

The bruises were starting to appear in random places and petechiae started to appear. She was taken for lab testing, and within a few hours Adalee was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her white blood cell count was 147,000.

Once Adalee reached the hospital she began eight months of intensive chemotherapy, followed by lumbar punctures with chemo and three bone marrow aspirations. Today, she will also have to complete 12-18 months of maintenance which includes oral chemotherapy, lumbar punctures and one IV chemo every 12 weeks.

Adalee’s mom, Samantha, says Adalee is her hero because she is facing this experience with no fear. She has never let this diagnosis define her and continues to fight with dignity and grace.

Samantha hopes that her daughter can live a life without cancer in the future. She hopes her story can be a positive inspiration and help others along their journey. “The journey is hard and there will be days that hit harder than others,” she said. “Talk to other parents. You need to have parents that can relate to what you are feeling. You need a support system that understands the journey. Pray.”

Knowing organizations like Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation are supporting families like hers, who are going through the unimaginable, gives Samantha hope for a cure.

“I got this!” – Adalee

Information provided by Samantha T., Adalee’s mom
Updated March 2024