Meet Thomas & Vivienne!
We are honored to share our new family with you! Welcome to Madelyn James, Thomas and Vivienne!
We first met Alexis and Timothy when both of their children, Thomas and Vivienne, were already being treated at CHOP. Vivienne, a sweet and funny little girl who loves hugs and toddling around, began her journey at just two months old when her parents noticed something unusual in her eyes. After months of doctor visits, Alexis and Timothy received the devastating news: Vivienne had Retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer that affects only 3 in a million children in the U.S. This aggressive cancer starts in the retina and, if untreated, can spread to the brain.
Shortly after Vivienne's diagnosis, Thomas—an energetic and clever young boy—was also diagnosed with Retinoblastoma in both eyes, an extremely rare occurrence with a 1% chance among siblings. Together, Vivienne and Thomas had 18 tumors, requiring chemotherapy every three weeks. To access the specialized care needed, the family temporarily relocated from Knoxville to Philadelphia, both parents pausing their careers to focus on their children full-time.
When we first met Alexis and Timothy in their Philadelphia apartment, Thomas was playfully running around. Hearing them call out “Thomas James,” Dan and I exchanged glances and were moved to tears—this little boy shared the combined middle names of our daughters, Madelyn and Hannah.
Since starting treatment, both children and their parents have shown incredible resilience. After the first round of treatment, Vivienne and Thomas were declared cancer-free, and the family returned to Knoxville. At a follow-up appointment, Vivienne was still cancer-free, but Thomas’s scans showed new tumors, leading to more intensive treatment. Just this week, after returning to CHOP, Thomas was declared cancer-free once again!
We’re honored to support this amazing family in ways that truly help them, from covering medical bills and insurance premiums to sending gift cards for meals. Their courage and devotion inspire us every day.
How can you help?
By contributing a monthly donation to Madelyn James or making a one-time donation, you can help us provide vital support to these incredible children by:
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Paying their monthly insurance premium
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Paying off medical bills
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Stepping in to support logistical
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Share joyful moments with the entire family
In love,
Jackie and Dan
