All-Star Scarlett

Scarlett’s dad, James’, first thought when they received her cancer diagnosis was “I can’t lose another child.”

James and his wife Caitlyn lost their first baby at birth. A few years later, when they found out they were pregnant with Scarlett, James quit his job and started his own handyman business so he could spend more time at home.

Her symptoms started gradually: a pinkish tinge from her nose, trouble pedaling her bike, getting tired quickly when out sledding, constantly feeling cold, and being covered in bruises.

They took Scarlett to the doctor, where bloodwork was taken, and they were sent on their way. The call came within an hour of leaving the clinic, and James remembers exactly where he was. He had taken Scarlett to get a toy, so he was standing in the middle of the store.

They told him that her bloodwork was deemed “critical,” and she needed to be taken to the hospital immediately. He and Scarlett made the two-hour drive right away without even packing a bag. Once there, they had to be transported to another hospital because her white blood count was increasing fast.

Scarlett was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and needed to start treatment right away. There wasn’t time to process.

The worry James and Caitlyn felt was unimaginable. They also had two other little ones to care for, so they quickly had to decide who would care for whom. James would be in the hospital with Scarlett, and Caitlyn would be home with the other two kids.

The harsh reality of childhood cancer set in as Scarlett started treatment. She went from being a cheery four-year-old who loved fixing things with James, riding the trails near her house, and playing with her dog, to yelling in her hospital bed.

Scarlett couldn’t understand what was happening and why. James felt helpless because he couldn’t do anything about it except be there with her. “Scarlet was looking to me for answers, and I didn’t have them,” James said, “It [chemotherapy] has to work.”

James and Scarlett spent three months in the hospital. Because of the care needed to keep Scarlett on track to heal, James had to shut down his business. They suddenly were a family of five with no income and a sick child.

When their savings dried up, James’ thoughts turned to how they were going to make ends meet. He knew work would be impossible. Even after Scarlett was discharged, they had to make the four-hour round trip to the hospital almost every day. They were isolated from friends and family because of her suppressed immune system, and they were now at the limit on all their credit cards.

That’s where Pinky Swear Foundation came in. The Pinky Swear Orange Envelope, full of colorful cards, bracelets, and a gift card, arrived just in time.

“I used it for gas and food. It was a big help,” James said.

Snacks like chips, apple sauce, and pizza were some of her favorites at the time.

“Her taste buds keep changing, and I make sure she gets a certain number of calories every day,” James said.

Scarlett’s family relies heavily on transportation to get her to treatment. James has put 20,000 miles on his truck since Scarlett’s diagnosis. When the car payment was due, he did not know where to turn, and Pinky Swear’s All-Star Fund covered the cost.

“I felt that it was too much to ask for, but I applied to Pinky Swear,” James said.

Pinky Swear acted quickly and mailed a check directly to the bank, he said.

“They paid the whole month’s car payment. Because of that, we were able to keep the car, which is the one we drive to the hospital. It was a huge burden lifted off my shoulders,” he explained.

Despite being poked and prodded, Scarlett settled into her treatment schedule, playing dress-up and making clothes for her dolls. Nonetheless, when she sees herself in the mirror, the reality of her struggle sets in. She’s sad because she’s lost nearly all her hair, and she wonders how long it will take to grow back.

James said Pinky Swear has helped ease some of the family’s burden, and he thanks supporters who have donated to the organization.

“You are helping a lot of families that really need the help. Pinky Swear provides a light during some of the darkest times a family can endure,” he said.