Cook Children's is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of every child through prevention, treatment, and strong community partnerships. Every dollar donated goes directly toward what matters most—providing exceptional care for children and their families.

Support from this effort helps fund Cook Children’s greatest needs, including daily patient care, program enhancements, advanced medical technology, and innovative equipment that keeps pace with the latest breakthroughs in medicine. Your generosity helps ensure every child receives extraordinary care every day.

“We are beyond grateful for the partnership with the Marine Corps League. This kind of community support changes – and saves – lives every single day.”

Wendy Eubank

Community Partner

Fundraising Coordinator

2026 Patient Ambassador

Kylie’s Journey: A Chance to Ring the Bell

When Kylie was in second grade, frequent stomachaches and headaches became impossible to ignore. After several visits to the school nurse, her mother took her to urgent care, where doctors discovered her abdomen was unusually hard. She was immediately referred to Cook Children's Medical Center for additional testing.

An ultrasound revealed an enlarged liver and spleen, raising concerns for leukemia or lymphoma. On May 4, 2022, a bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

At just seven years old, Kylie was frightened. She didn't understand what leukemia meant until she learned it was cancer.

Over the next 1,122 days, Kylie courageously endured an incredibly difficult treatment journey. Her care included daily chemotherapy medication, weekly IV chemotherapy, two months of immunotherapy, more than 20 spinal taps, 33 blood transfusions, and countless clinic visits.

Complications from the steroids used during treatment caused vascular necrosis, a condition that caused the bone in her right hip to die and collapse, ultimately requiring a hip replacement.

Throughout every challenge, the team at Cook Children's was there to support her—not just medically, but emotionally as well.

The Child Life Specialists helped make each procedure less frightening, offering encouragement, activities, and comfort. Kylie also found joy in the Child Life Zone, where children can read, create crafts, play games, and simply enjoy being kids despite their treatments.

One of the biggest bright spots during her journey was the hospital's therapy dog program. During a time when Kylie had stopped eating, a special tea party with one of the therapy dogs helped her begin eating again—creating a memory she will never forget.

On May 30, 2025, after three years of treatment, Kylie celebrated a milestone every pediatric cancer patient dreams about: she rang the bell, marking the end of her cancer treatment.

Today, Kylie is deeply grateful for the doctors, nurses, Child Life Specialists, therapists, and every member of the Cook Children's team who stood beside her throughout her journey.

She also wants supporters to know that their generosity truly changes lives.

"Because of donors like you, kids like me have the chance to ring the bell."

Every dollar raised through the Marine Corps League Longhorn Detachment's charity golf tournament helps provide hope, healing, and life-changing care for children like Kylie. Together, we can help more families face cancer with world-class care, compassionate support, and the hope of hearing that bell ring.