#RallyKid Maddox Fundraiser
Rally Kid Maddox's Story
Maddox’s journey began in August 2018 when we noticed a small lump under his left jawline. His pediatrician initially suspected a swollen lymph node or parotid gland and started antibiotics. An ultrasound confirmed a swollen lymph node, but after weeks of antibiotics, testing, and an ENT consultation, the swelling continued to grow. Despite normal lab results, the swelling became so noticeable that friends began asking about it. After another ultrasound, doctors decided a biopsy was needed. On November 2, we took our seemingly healthy 4-year-old to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Egleston for an outpatient biopsy. Later that evening, while out to dinner, we received the call that changed everything: the biopsy showed cancer. We were instructed to return to the ER immediately to meet with an oncologist and begin further testing. We were in complete shock. Maddox had no symptoms other than a swollen lymph node. The following week, Maddox was admitted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite for extensive testing. Our oncology team confirmed he had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). He underwent surgery to place a port and began chemotherapy and a month-long course of steroids. During the first eight months of treatment, Maddox received weekly chemotherapy infusions and lumbar punctures requiring sedation. He was also hospitalized due to a severely weakened immune system during flu season. In addition to clinic visits, he took chemotherapy pills at home and completed multiple steroid pulses. His treatment continued until January 11, 2022. Thanks to pediatric cancer research, studies later showed that children with Maddox’s type of leukemia could receive infusions and steroids every 12 weeks instead of every 4 weeks with the same results. Less chemotherapy meant less toxicity and fewer immediate and long-term side effects. Today, Maddox is 4½ years off treatment and officially considered a SURVIVOR! We will continue to spread awareness and support the Rally Foundation until better treatments with fewer side effects are found.
By making a donation, you are directly supporting childhood cancer research through the Rally Foundation.
Your donation will contribute to the ongoing efforts to develop better treatments with fewer long-term side effects, and ultimately, find cures for young patients like Maddox. Stand with us in this critical cause and help bring hope to children and families battling cancer.
Fundraise in Honor of Maddox
Every day, kids are diagnosed with cancers that still have no cure — and treatments that haven’t changed in decades. Rally steps in where traditional funding often doesn’t, providing philanthropic seed funding for bold, early-stage research with the greatest potential to save lives.
Join us and help fund the future by backing breakthrough science because kids fighting cancer can’t wait. Their futures depend on more than hope. They depend on action.