14 Days of Maddy: Day 6 Inclusive

You are Inclusive.

Maddy taught us to be open, to feel, to share and to understand. 

When Maddy visited clinic for treatment and check-ups, even though she was usually one of the youngest, she would point to this little, orange snail with wheels. She would sit on the snail and laugh as she was pushed through the hallways. Just her eyes and smile would instantly encourage a line of other children behind her beeping their play pink and blue cars and snails.  She would wave her signature "double fist wave" at families and children going through treatments and make them smile. 

What have you learned from Maddy? What has someone taught you about being vulnerable that you’ll never forget? 

At Madelyn James, we want to create more space for inclusive and equitable research in pediatric cancer. Like this research study the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)  or “the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play," that shares "profound inequities in cancer incidence, care delivery, and outcomes—including stark disparities in survival.”

Our mission is to address these inequities and create opportunities for access to the best care in the world without families worrying about the financial burden of cancer treatments. 

We hope that you can share this message today with someone who emulates inclusivity to you, and we hope you share with them how much this word means to you. 

Jackie, Dan & Hannah 🎀

Madelyn James Pediatric Foundation Founders