Felicity, who turns six years old in September, has been a patient at Celebration Pediatrics since she was about nine months old. From the beginning, she (and her family) have been nothing but smiles, high-fives, and hugs when she arrives at the office, and like the superstar she is, everyone runs to stop in and say hi.

During the height of the pandemic in December 2020, Felicity fell catastrophically ill, and days from impending death, she was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. With the help of her family, Felicity began her fight headfirst. Within her 2.5-year battle, she began building her “beads of courage” that grew over 24 feet long! One bead for every procedure, chemo, admission, overnight stay (over 225 nights), ER trips, blood & platelet transfusions, bone marrow biopsies, etc.

Throughout her journey, Felicity had 225 overnight/inpatient days, eight months of missed school (hospital/homebound), 30 transfusions of blood products, 25 radiology procedures (X-ray, MRI, CT, Fluoroscopy), 15 lumbar punctures with anesthesia, 15 emergency room visits, ten holidays and family birthdays inpatient, five pneumonia/respiratory admissions, two times complete hair loss, one walker, one wheelchair, and learned to how to walk again.

Felicity underwent 886 days of chemo and treatment for her illness. Finally, after a long struggle, with many hills and valleys, she could ring her bell in May 2023 — declaring VICTORY over her cancer!
“When I met Felicity as an infant, it was easy to see that she was special. Many children with Down Syndrome are easy to bond with, but Felicity had that extra sparkle. Watching her development progress from infancy to a feisty toddler was so rewarding for us and her family.

She seemed so healthy. After so much progress, it seemed so unfair when she was diagnosed with leukemia. But seeing her in remission and hopefully cured after her long journey with this disease is gratifying. She still has her sparkle. We are grateful for all the clinicians and researchers who have made a previously fatal disease one that is now treatable and curable,” says Dr. Robert Dabrow, MD, FAAP, Medical Director.

The Celebration Pediatrics family couldn’t be more proud or happier to see such a big fight in this little warrior, and she prevailed in the end, but she did it without a shadow of a doubt. We love you, Felicity!