Savanna's Story

Meet SAVANNA THE BRAVE, a social, adventurous, and loving little traveler, and a true fighter who has faced cancer not once, but twice.

Savanna’s cancer journey began long before we knew we were fighting cancer. In June 2024, she began constantly complaining of pain when brushing her teeth or yawning, something we now understand was likely related to tender lymph nodes. Then came persistent left-sided abdominal pain, followed by recurring fevers that were extremely difficult to break and episodes of vomiting. We went to countless appointments searching for answers, and I repeatedly expressed my concern, including the fact that there is a family history of Wilms tumor. Still, her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed. Unfortunately, her regular pediatrician was out on maternity leave during both periods when Savanna became ill, which contributed to delays in reaching the correct diagnosis. In December 2024, her pediatrician came back to work, and after months of symptoms and uncertainty, we finally received the devastating diagnosis: Wilms tumor. She underwent surgery to remove her left kidney, followed by chemotherapy, radiation, and eventually became cancer-free. Then, in January 2026, our world was turned upside down once again when we learned that the cancer had returned, this time in her lung…I thought, “Not again. Diagnosis: relapsed Wilms tumor. Savanna had to find the strength to fight cancer for a second time, enduring chemotherapy and, most recently, radiation. The worst part was losing her hair again, and not being able to attend school due to the aggressive treatment and immunosuppression. Thankfully, she has not required hospital stays outside of her scheduled treatments; she has now completed radiation, and she is on her way toward recovery.

SAVANNA’s strength and love for life has carried her through two battles with Wilms tumor, and her dream of walking back into her classroom and boarding her next plane has kept her looking ahead.

Through everything cancer has put her through, she has never lost her love for life. She is a frequent flyer, an avid traveler, and a little adventurer who wants nothing more than to get well so she can get back to seeing the world. One of the most difficult parts of this journey for her was losing the everyday normalcy of childhood. During the latter part of the school year, treatment required her to attend school virtually. She is incredibly social and thrives around her friends and peers, so being separated from them was devastating. Thankfully, she will be returning to school this coming school year, and she could not be more excited. For Savanna, walking back into her classroom and eventually boarding another plane are more than ordinary milestones; they represent freedom, recovery, and reclaiming a childhood that cancer forced her to temporarily put on hold.

We are incredibly grateful to Gold in Fight for standing beside our family during this chapter of Savanna’s journey. Childhood cancer changes every aspect of a family’s life, and support from organizations like yours helps lighten a burden that can sometimes feel impossible to carry. Thank you for seeing families like ours, for supporting children like Savanna, and for allowing us to focus our energy on her healing.