Every year, the CAA’s amazing dance companies put on a Benefit Concert to honor and raise money for local families or organizations. It is always such a special night as our dancers use their talents to reach out and make a difference in the world around them. On December 7th, we are so humbled to be dancing to honor one incredible girl named Harper.
About Harper:
On October 7, 2016 Harper was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of brain cancer called Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) and given only a 15% chance of survival. She was only 16 months old. She immediately underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor. Over the next 9 months, she endured inpatient chemo therapy treatment at Primary Childrens Hospital, followed by outpatient radiation. Her mom rarely left her side. In addition to working, her dad split his time between the hospital and caring for the family's other two girls, who were ages six and four at the time.
During Harper's stay she endured more surgeries, tests, procedures, and medications than most of will receive in a lifetime. Despite it all, her sweet spirit was always evident. Hospital staff couldn't help but fall in love with her and the special feeling in her hospital room.
In June of 2017, Harper was finally declared cancer free! The effects of the cancer and treatments, however, were still very evident. She continues to deal with hearing loss, vision issues, and delayed development. She is easily overstimulated by her surroundings and new situations. She even attends a special needs preschool and countless therapy appointments in a little pink wheelchair.
Just as Harper and her family were adjusting to their new form of a "normal" life, the unthinkable happened. During a routine follow-up cancer screen in May of 2019, new tumors were detected in her brain and spinal cord. To make matters worse, no treatment options existed at Primary Childrens Hospital for a relapse of this rare form of cancer. Thankfully, she was accepted into a chemo therapy trial at St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis Tennessee.
On Harper's 4th birthday, she and her parents headed to Memphis to embark on a second cancer fight in her short life. They spent 3 weeks at the hospital there, doing tests, getting a port placed, and starting her first round of chemo. now that she’s home, she continues to get oral chemo for 7 days each month and then travels back to St Jude’s every few months for MRI’s to check the tumors. At first the tumors were shrinking a little and the family had so much hope that it would continue to help them get smaller. But her scans in September showed the tumors were no longer shrinking. They may have even gotten a little bigger in size. Harper continues to stay on the chemo in hopes that the tumors will continue to be stable. However, if they grow any more, Harper will be kicked off the study. At this point Harpers family just hopes and prays for the best. They will keep fighting for their sweet little girl. Harper loves giving hugs and gives love to everyone she meets. Harper also shows so much strength and courage through every trial she faces and is such an example to everyone around her.
About Harper:
On October 7, 2016 Harper was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of brain cancer called Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) and given only a 15% chance of survival. She was only 16 months old. She immediately underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor. Over the next 9 months, she endured inpatient chemo therapy treatment at Primary Childrens Hospital, followed by outpatient radiation. Her mom rarely left her side. In addition to working, her dad split his time between the hospital and caring for the family's other two girls, who were ages six and four at the time.
During Harper's stay she endured more surgeries, tests, procedures, and medications than most of will receive in a lifetime. Despite it all, her sweet spirit was always evident. Hospital staff couldn't help but fall in love with her and the special feeling in her hospital room.
In June of 2017, Harper was finally declared cancer free! The effects of the cancer and treatments, however, were still very evident. She continues to deal with hearing loss, vision issues, and delayed development. She is easily overstimulated by her surroundings and new situations. She even attends a special needs preschool and countless therapy appointments in a little pink wheelchair.
Just as Harper and her family were adjusting to their new form of a "normal" life, the unthinkable happened. During a routine follow-up cancer screen in May of 2019, new tumors were detected in her brain and spinal cord. To make matters worse, no treatment options existed at Primary Childrens Hospital for a relapse of this rare form of cancer. Thankfully, she was accepted into a chemo therapy trial at St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis Tennessee.
On Harper's 4th birthday, she and her parents headed to Memphis to embark on a second cancer fight in her short life. They spent 3 weeks at the hospital there, doing tests, getting a port placed, and starting her first round of chemo. now that she’s home, she continues to get oral chemo for 7 days each month and then travels back to St Jude’s every few months for MRI’s to check the tumors. At first the tumors were shrinking a little and the family had so much hope that it would continue to help them get smaller. But her scans in September showed the tumors were no longer shrinking. They may have even gotten a little bigger in size. Harper continues to stay on the chemo in hopes that the tumors will continue to be stable. However, if they grow any more, Harper will be kicked off the study. At this point Harpers family just hopes and prays for the best. They will keep fighting for their sweet little girl. Harper loves giving hugs and gives love to everyone she meets. Harper also shows so much strength and courage through every trial she faces and is such an example to everyone around her.
