Kayleigh Claypool was diagnosed at age 2 with stage 3 neuroblastoma. There are no words to describe the pain I watched her suffer through. After multiple surgeries, harsh chemotherapy, tubes, broviacs, radiation, bone marrow transplant and lots of pain and suffering, she was finally in remission at age 4. When Kayleigh was 7 she complained about pain in several areas and after CAT scan results, the news was devastating. Her cancer was back, and it was everywhere. We tried experimental treatment, which was our only option other than going home on hospice. The treatment did not work, the cancer was too aggressive. I had to walk away from doctors, hospitals and treatment and take her home to be comfortable. It was only within a week of being on hospice that Kayleigh got her angel wings. During all this period of her little life all she wanted to do was ride her bike. She LOVED riding bikes. So, after losing my sweet child to this deadly disease, my husband and I decided to raise money every year for an organization that supports cancer kid families. The organization is called Kids N' Kamp. The first Sunday of every December Kids N' Kamp hosts a Christmas party for the cancer kids and their families. My husband and I buy as many bikes as we can in her memory and honor and transport them to the party to give to these deserving children. Last December we gave away 187 bikes! We have been doing this since we lost little Kayleigh in 2003. Every year now these families look forward to coming to the party to win a bike. AND it's all because of a little girl named Kayleigh who fought until the end, and will forever be our Hero.
 
Written by Leigh Claypool, Kayleigh Claypool’s Mom
April 2011