Maylea was an intelligent, happy and active little girl. She had a passion for being outdoors and enjoyed swimming in the river and climbing trees. She loved singing, dancing and dressing up as a princess, hence her nickname, Princess Maylea. She had a smile that could brighten any room and a sense of humor that could make anyone laugh. She loved playing with little sister, Abbie, her friends, and her cousins. She was incredibly selfless and loved with her whole heart.

In March 2014, Maylea began having issues with her right leg that made walking difficult, followed shortly by trouble using her right arm and hand. She was later diagnosed with DIPG, a fast-growing and inoperable form of brain cancer at the age of 6. After diagnosis, Maylea’s body wouldn’t allow her to do some of her favorite activities, but she never let it bother her. Once her treatment protocol lessened the side effects of her tumor and she was able to get back to a somewhat normal routine, there was no stopping her from running and dancing. Maylea never complained or lost her smile, she took each day as it came and made the very best of her situation as she could. 

Maylea courageously fought for 15 months before she passed away at the age of 7 on June 8, 2015. Throughout her battle, Maylea constantly worried about those she loved and did everything in her power to make sure they were happy.

"Funding for pediatric cancer research is so important. Not only does it honor Maylea and other children's legacies, but it is the only way a cure will be discovered so that one day children can survive what are now considered terminal diagnoses, and their families will be free of the devastation that follows." - Debbi White

1 in 330 children in the U.S. will develop cancer by age 20.

On the average, 15,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Cancer is the #1 killer of children by disease in the United States, yet it remains one of the most underfunded diseases in the world.

The Cure Starts Now focuses on the Homerun Cure™ to all cancers by concentrating our research funding efforts on the deadliest forms of cancer. With over $18 million in pediatric brain cancer research funding to date, you can rest assured that 100% of your donation, after credit card processing, will go directly to innovative research. Please join us in funding crucial research to save our youngest of warriors.