Home 5 Real-Life Stories 5 Kids with Cancer 5 Meet 2025 Ambassador Kaylee: Dancing Through Life with Strength and Grace

Meet 2025 Ambassador Kaylee: Dancing Through Life with Strength and Grace

January 29, 2025
4 min read
A young girl in a red dress stands amidst the trees in a serene forest setting.

In many ways, Kaylee is a typical middle schooler who loves dancing, Squishmallows, playing Roblox and Minecraft, watching SpongeBob SquarePants, Disney World, and spending time with her friends and family, especially her older sister, Kylie, and younger sister, Kaitlyn.

A girl in a blue dress poses in two images at different times, one holding a toy, showcasing her joyful expression and playful spirit.

Left: Kaylee before cancer. Right: Kaylee after cancer.

A fall on July 10, 2023, led to a fractured femur and ultimately a diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, nine days later. Kaylee’s parents, Jason and Justina, told her,

“You have two cells that were supposed to communicate with each other and move through your body. When they met up, they didn’t do what they had to do. Therefore, a huge ball (tumor) formed. The tumor continued to grow and impacted your bones and that’s why when you fell, your leg broke so easily. We know you are scared but we will be with you through everything and continue to pray for strength.”

Treatment started right away. Kaylee underwent eight months of intense chemotherapy. She often experienced nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite during treatment. Kaylee faced four surgeries, including a biopsy that led to her being in traction and confined to a hospital bed for over three months. Another surgery, a rotationplasty, involved removing the middle part of her right leg (including the tumor), rotating her lower leg 180 degrees, and reattaching it to her thigh. Her ankle joint now functions as a knee.

Three images depict a girl at different times - in a hospital bed, doing physical therapy, and tenderly holding a doll that also has a prosthetic.

Left: Kaylee in treatment at the hospital. Middle: Kaylee doing PT with her prosthetic. Right: Kaylee holding a doll that has the same prosthetic as her.

Life was full of challenges, and it was especially hard that the family was separated for such an extended period. However, Kaylee’s dad and sisters came to the hospital every night so they could eat dinner together as a family.

“Kaylee was never mad that she got cancer. She knew that she had to do what she had to do (chemotherapy) and continued to smile (and cry) but she was always positive.”

-Kaylee’s mom, Justina

When Kaylee was finally discharged from the hospital on September 23, 2023, her family was thrilled to be living under the same roof again. Kaylee and her mom commuted to the hospital for treatment but were grateful to be able to sleep in their own beds each night.

Two images depict the special bond between a child and a parent.

Left: Kaylee and her mom. Right: Kaylee and her dad.

In January 2024, Kaylee received her prosthetic leg. On February 2, 2024, she rang the bell to celebrate the end of treatment and started intense physical therapy to relearn how to walk.

Family time means the world to the Wan’s. They cherish every birthday, holiday, and moment together, whether it’s going on trips to amusement parks or to the local frozen yogurt hangout, arcade, library, or the local pool. Kaylee and her sisters love playing iPad games and going to the movies together.

A dynamic montage of photographs depicting one family enjoying time together in different settings.

Left and right: Kaylee’s whole family. Middle: Kaylee and her sisters Kylie and Kaitlyn.

“They were with her every night at the hospital, and they have seen her sick, lose her hair, lose her leg, learn how to walk again and ring her end of treatment bell.”

-Kaylee’s mom, Justina

Although Kaylee will continue regular scans to make sure the cancer hasn’t returned, research has given her the chance to focus on what matters most, spending her days enjoying the activities she loves. Cancer may have slowed Kaylee down temporarily, but she’s back to joyfully dancing and jumping around. She approaches life full steam ahead and hopes to one day be a baker.

Kaylee continues to inspire everyone around her with her strength and kindness. She has an army of supporters cheering her on every step of the way.

Help fund research to find cures and better treatments for kids like Kaylee.

Donate