A Parent's Intuition

When you’ve just welcomed a child into the world, your days revolve around new routines. Your heart is full, your focus unwavering on this new addition to your family. The very last thing on your mind is that something as devastating as cancer could already be growing inside their small body.

But with Evelyn and her family, this fear arose on a random afternoon, just one month after she was born. Evelyn’s dad experienced a strong gut feeling to check her for anything that might not be right. As they were laying on the couch together, he felt her legs and found a bump on her right kneecap. 

“Something told me to check her and look for something on her body. I touched her kneecap and I felt a bump. I felt the other side and it was not the same. I immediately knew something was wrong.” - Evelyn’s Dad

Her Dad could not shake the feeling that something was not right. So Evelyn’s parents worked quickly to get her checked by different doctors. Some did not listen to them, saying that she would grow out of it, this was normal for kids her age. Despite this, her parents kept advocating for Evelyn, knowing something was not right. Finally, they saw a doctor that listened to their concerns who promptly referred the family to Stanford. After a few months of referrals, testing, and labs, Evelyn was diagnosed with stage 2 Rhabdomyosarcoma on January 1, 2025. The gut feeling her dad had, was confirmed. Because Evelyn’s parents were her fierce advocates, they caught her cancer early and began treating it the same week of her diagnosis. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare cancer that forms in soft tissue and muscle. Catching this cancer in its early stages gave Evelyn the best fighting chance. 

Just one week after her first round of chemo, they joined the Jacob’s Heart family. Mary, our Director of Family Services, met them with care and compassion—guiding them through the available support and quickly connecting them with everything they needed.

“The weekly diapers and wipes were so helpful, it was tough last year but those diapers were such a help. We did not have to buy diapers for a long time, it was a blessing.” - Evelyn’s Mom

Both of Evelyn’s parents had to stop working in order to care for her. Every Monday, they were at Stanford for her chemo appointments. Putting something like a box of diapers with their weekly groceries meant her parents did not have to stress about that added expense as they handled medical bills and focused on Evelyn’s care.

On July 7, 2025, Evelyn rang the bell, marking the end of her treatment, surrounded by her mom, dad, and big sister. In just a year and a half of life, she had already faced more than most ever will—surgeries, the placement of her port, and countless weekly chemotherapy appointments.

Through it all, her parents and sister never left her side. On the hardest days, when the path felt uncertain, they were her voice, her comfort, and her fiercest advocates. With the support of Jacob’s Heart, their strength carried her forward, and their love never wavered.

Together, this family didn’t just endure the journey, they moved through it hand in hand, held together by resilience, devotion, and a love powerful enough to light the way.

“Trust your gut and be an advocate for your kids. Don’t be afraid to speak up for them. If you feel like something is wrong, trust that feeling.”  - Evelyn’s Mom

Thank you for supporting children like Evelyn and her family as they battle pediatric cancer. Your support ensures they do not have to face the unimaginable alone.

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