Happy birthday Anjali!

Anjali celebrated her 5th birthday and is Casey Cares' 280th birthday this year!

Casey Cares knows that for a critically ill child, each birthday is a special milestone celebrating life. For the children in our programs, it not only marks another year, but it also demonstrates a great achievement. Casey Cares staff and volunteers work hard to send out each of our kids a special birthday package through our Birthday Blast program - we send over 1,000 a year. This simple act of kindness delivers joy and hope to our kids who are undergoing treatment.

Neuroblastoma and Trials

When Anjali stopped eating, her mother Kim had taken her daughter to the pediatrician, thinking it was appendicitis. When her condition worsened, Kim took her back to the ER were Anjali was diagnosed with high risk neuroblastoma.

From there, Anjali was placed on a rigorous treatment plan that included immunotherapy and a vaccine trial.

"I have a great appreciation for the people who have come before us in the [treatment] trials which wouldn’t haven’t been possible without the parents and kids. The advocates that have come before us are incredible," says Kim.⁠

She says that the current medicine Anjali is on was approved 2 or 3 years ago thanks to these trials.

"Anjali still goes to the hospital every month for treatment," says Kim.

She continues, "the fact that we are close to the hospital is a blessing with neuroblastoma doctors and facilities."

Kim notes that "with other cancers, you ring the bell to say that you are in remission. With her, she’s not in survivorship yet. As a parent, you’re always worried with any sort of pain. Anjali still many appointments for her cancer though now she is doing her scans without anesthesia."

Appreciation For Life

"My son was five months old when she was diagnosed. It was challenging when you have siblings. It is hard to work and balance medical care since so much is going on, even after active treatment. You never return to your old life. It can be difficult to find happiness in these moments," Kim acknowledges.

However, she finds that Anjali's diagnosis has given her "an appreciation for life. It is the more horrible thing to watch, but you meet the kindest people and best medical workers in the hospital and how they go way above their duties to help and care for Anjali."

Stress Free With Casey Cares 

Casey Cares focuses on providing free programs for the entire family, not simply the sick child, to enjoy. Since joining in 2022, Anjali and her family have gone to Monster Jam, visited the dinos at Jurassic Quest, and saw the characters at Disney Jr. Live!

Kim remembers that each activity Casey Cares sent "were all amazing but Disney On Ice was Anjali's favorite. She had a scan the day and it took her mind off it since it was something to look forward."

She has invited other families that "I know and still in active treatments to go to events with us; it really broadens the community."

The family's favorite part about Casey Cares is that it is "hard for us to research events going on for kids with treatment and Casey Cares gives us an opportunity to something as a family with a fun event with kids that is stress free."

"Casey Cares gives us so much joy at any time," the mother says.

Anjali's Resilience

Above all Kim admires Anjali's "resilience, she is so loving and caring. She bounces back, if you were to look at her, you would have no idea what she’s gone through."

You can help bring lasting memories to critically ill children like Anjali - click here!