Meet Our Champions

At just 3 years old, doctors at Cook Children's diagnosed Marlee with stage IV neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that forms in nerve cells. When Marlee's body did not respond to the initial course of treatment, her doctors suggested a more aggressive approach. She underwent two bone marrow transplants, radiation and immunotherapy. She spent time in our pediatric intensive care unit after suffering acute complication of the liver and underwent surgery for a stricture in her intestine. In 2022, Marlee's scans showed no evidence of disease, but in 2023 doctors discovered that her cancer had returned. The Child Life program provides a place of comfort for Marlee, offering play, celebration, and creative expression. Now 7 years old, Marlee continues her battle and continues to live her life to the fullest. She rides horses, plays with friends and shares her story as a Cook Children's patient ambassador.