“We volunteer our time and give back to Four Diamonds because we know first-hand that they make sure no family has to fight childhood cancer alone.” – Chad and Kira, volunteers and parents to Four Diamonds child Adley
Adley is a happy and energetic 5-year-old little girl who loves hanging out with her pets, watching her big brother, Mayze, play sports, and doing anything outside, including swimming, jumping on her trampoline and playing soccer.
In February 2022, right before her 2nd birthday, Adley’s parents, Chad and Kira, noticed she was pale, lethargic and more tired than usual. They called her pediatrician, who recommended they do blood work. Within two hours of getting the blood work done, they received a phone call from Penn State Health Children’s Hospital saying that they had a room ready for Adley. Upon arrival, they were told the heartbreaking news that Adley was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Adley’s parents describe her as strong, resilient and a hero. She bravely battled cancer for 2 years and 4 months, finally ringing the bell in June of 2024, signifying the end of her treatment! During those 2+ years, many things changed for Chad and Kira. “People always think of all the bad things that come along with your child having cancer, which is understandable,” said Chad. “But there can be good things that come from it as well.”
One of those good things has been a newfound passion for volunteering their time to raise funds and awareness for Four Diamonds. Their family has attended numerous Mini-THON events as guest speakers, sometimes traveling over an hour to be there. They also host an annual golf tournament every September during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Kira even donated her hair on stage during THON Weekend this past year.
Chad and Kira feel it is important to include Adley in their volunteering, and, even at such a young age, they have watched her blossom into a leader in her community who enjoys giving back. Adley frequently sets up lemonade stands and hosts bake sales, all to, in her words, “help her friends who have ports.” She even has a grocery stand at Chad’s workplace where she sells her baked goods and other items.
The family also knows how important it is to donate their time to raise awareness and to offer support to other families. “When you first get that cancer diagnosis, you feel so alone,” said Chad. “The Four Diamonds staff at the hospital was there right away to let us know we weren’t alone, and they’ve continued to support us since that first day. We wouldn't be where we are today without the medical staff and child life specialists.”
Chad continued, “And it extends way beyond the walls of the hospital. We have met so many wonderful people through Mini-THON and THON, especially our orgs, Chi Phi and Phi Sigma Rho. We’ve been supported by countless Four Diamonds families. We are blessed that Adley is healthy and doing well, so now it’s become our passion to support others the way we were supported.”
Chad started Adley’s Adventure, a social media group where he documents their family’s journey, to connect with others during a time when they were seeking support. The group has now turned into a way for their family to raise awareness and support others. “We want to make sure no one ever feels alone,” Chad said. “The Four Diamonds community was such a huge support system for us, so now we take pride in offering that support to other families.”
To keep up with Chad, Kira, Adley and the rest of their family, follow them on Facebook and Instagram @AdleysAdventure. To learn how to get involved with Four Diamonds as a volunteer, click here.