Sweet little Maeve, a courageous baby girl, has already proven that she is one of a kind in more ways than one. Diagnosed in July with a rare tumor called Fibrocartilaginous Mesenchymoma, Maeve has become the youngest person ever to receive such a diagnosis. The condition is so rare that Maeve’s case is truly one in a billion—literally. With her diagnosis, Maeve is showing the world that strength, resilience, and love can shine through even the most challenging circumstances.
Maeve’s story began like that of any baby, with her family full of hopes and dreams for her future. But in July, those dreams were interrupted when her parents received the heartbreaking news of her diagnosis. Despite the rarity of her condition, Maeve’s family has been met with an outpouring of support from the medical team, friends, and the community, helping them navigate the emotional and physical toll of her battle.
After the diagnosis, Maeve’s parents, who live in Illinois, have been traveling back and forth to Memphis for treatment, a journey that has been both physically and emotionally exhausting. They’ve had to adjust to the routine of long hospital stays, endless tests, and constant uncertainty. But throughout it all, Maeve has been their shining light, showing them that she is stronger than anyone could have imagined.
Just a few days ago, Maeve underwent her first surgery to help reposition her bones for better healing. This procedure was just one step in what will be a long and challenging journey. Maeve will need to return to Memphis every 2-3 weeks for similar surgeries, all the way until the beginning of October. The hope is that these procedures will help her body heal and give her the best possible chance at a healthy future. However, if her body does not respond as expected, Maeve may need to undergo a more intense procedure. Despite the uncertainty, Maeve’s medical team remains hopeful, and her family continues to pray that things go smoothly.
What makes Maeve’s journey even more inspiring is her ability to keep fighting, even when things get difficult. She is only a baby, but her strength is beyond her years. Maeve has been through so much already, but each day, she shows more resilience, courage, and determination to overcome whatever challenges come her way. Through all the surgeries, treatments, and hospital visits, Maeve has remained a beacon of hope for her family and everyone who has been following her story.
For her parents, the journey has been a tough one. Adjusting to life as new parents is challenging enough, but with a rare and life-threatening diagnosis thrown into the mix, the emotional and physical toll has been immense. The constant worry, the unknowns, and the overwhelming fear of not knowing what the future holds for their precious girl are challenges no parent should ever have to face. But even in the face of these difficulties, Maeve’s family continues to stay strong, holding on to each moment of joy and comfort that they can find.
Their love for Maeve is the driving force that keeps them going, and with every step she takes toward recovery, they are reminded of just how precious life is. The courage Maeve has shown, even in the face of such uncertainty, has been nothing short of extraordinary. She is a true warrior, and her family is endlessly proud of her strength and perseverance.
As Maeve’s journey continues, her family needs the support of the community now more than ever. They are asking for prayers, love, and positive energy as they navigate the next stages of her treatment. They are facing an uncertain road, but they are not alone. Maeve has touched the hearts of so many, and the love and encouragement she has received from all who are following her story mean the world to her family.
Please join us in keeping Maeve and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Share words of encouragement, send love, and offer your support. Every prayer, every kind word, and every act of kindness counts. Together, we can help Maeve stay strong as she continues her fight and faces the challenges ahead.
Maeve, you are a miracle. Your strength, resilience, and bravery are a reminder of the beauty of life and the power of love. Your journey has touched so many hearts, and we are all here for you, cheering you on every step of the way. We believe in you, and we will continue to send our love, prayers, and positive energy to you as you keep fighting.
To Maeve’s family: We stand with you. You are not alone. We will continue to lift you up with love and support as you walk this difficult road. Your daughter is a fighter, and with all of us by your side, she will continue to find the strength to face whatever comes next.
Together, we can help Maeve and her family navigate this journey. Let’s continue to show them how much love and support they have in this fight. We are all rooting for you, Maeve, and we believe in your strength. 💖🎗
Monty’s Fight: A Mother’s Story of Love, Fear, and Unbreakable Hope.3186
My name is Pip. I am a mother of two, and I am writing on behalf of my son Monty and our family—because our lives changed forever in a single afternoon.
Just two weeks ago, our 13-month-old baby boy Monty was diagnosed with T-ALL leukaemia. The signs were subtle at first: unexplained bruising on his tiny body. Like any mother would, I trusted my instincts and took him to our GP, hoping for reassurance. Instead, within one hour of that appointment—after a simple blood test at our local hospital—we were told the words no parent is ever prepared to hear.
Monty has leukaemia.
In a matter of moments, our world collapsed. What began as a routine medical visit instantly turned into a life-altering diagnosis. We were told Monty would require six to nine months of intense hospital treatment, followed by a two-year cancer treatment plan. Our happy, healthy toddler—who had barely needed a doctor’s visit beyond regular check-ups—was now facing the fight of his life.
Before this diagnosis, Monty was a joyful, energetic little boy who had just celebrated his first birthday. He was learning new words, riding his trike, scooting along the ground, and kicking a ball just like his big brother, Sid. He laughed easily. He explored fearlessly. He was everything a 13-month-old should be.
On Tuesday, August 5, I was admitted to hospital with Monty. That same night, he was transferred by ambulance to Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick. Within hours, he was in the Children’s Intensive Care Unit. Over the next five days, Monty became critically ill as cancer cells rapidly broke down his white blood cells, overwhelming his tiny organs. His body simply couldn’t keep up.
Watching your baby fight for stability in ICU is a pain beyond words. A team of specialist doctors and nurses worked around the clock to save him—and slowly, thankfully, they did.
Once Monty was stable enough to leave ICU, we moved to the oncology ward. He underwent surgery to insert a central line and received his very first chemotherapy treatment. We were introduced to what is known as the “induction phase”—the first and most critical month of treatment, designed to aggressively attack the cancer.
Against all odds, Monty responded well. After eight intense days in hospital, he reached the medical targets doctors hoped for. We were able to leave the ward and isolate at Ronald McDonald House, right beside the hospital, while we worked to find short-term housing nearby. During this time, my husband Steve and our son Sid stayed at RMH, allowing our family to remain close while I could not leave Monty’s side.
The coming months will be relentless. Monty will undergo multiple hospital treatments every week, alongside three daily medications administered at home. Each stage of his treatment depends entirely on how his body responds and how effectively it continues to fight the cancer.
Because Monty’s immune system is now severely compromised, we were told we must live close to the hospital. Any fever, illness, or reaction could become life-threatening within hours. If Monty’s temperature rises unexpectedly, we must immediately present to Randwick Children’s Hospital.
We are now isolating to protect him, while attending three to four hospital visits every single week.
To keep our family together, we made the heartbreaking decision to uproot Sid’s life. He is now enrolled in the hospital school kindergarten so that we can preserve some sense of normality and keep both our boys close during this journey.
Despite the gravity of Monty’s diagnosis, doctors remain hopeful. Every blood test so far shows positive progress. Just two weeks into this long road, Monty continues to smile—between swallowing medications three times a day, enduring chemotherapy, and facing procedures no toddler should ever experience.
We feel incredibly grateful to live in a country with such an exceptional healthcare system. The doctors and nurses caring for Monty are extraordinary. We feel informed, supported, and reassured that he is in the best possible hands.
However, the reality is overwhelming. We have had to relocate our family to Sydney for what will likely be at least six months. We are now supporting two households. I can no longer work, and my husband is working remotely while caring for our family. The financial strain is significant—and growing.
We are sharing Monty’s story because we cannot do this alone. Any support, prayers, or kindness from our community helps us stay strong and focused on what matters most: keeping our family together and helping Monty fight.
We know times are hard for many. Any contribution—big or small—will ease the burden and allow us to focus on our son’s healing. And if you are unable to donate, simply sharing Monty’s story means more than you could ever know.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Monty. Your love, prayers, and generosity give us the strength to keep going—one day, one breath, one brave little boy at a time.
