Annalora
Annalora: Age 4 – Acute Lymphoid Leukemia
In 2020, Sunny Days was able to send 4-year-old Annalora on a week-long celebratory vacation over the 4th of July when all her other make-a-wish type trips, including a trip to Disney, were canceled due to Covid-19. Annalora and her family had an amazing and safe Sunny Days vacation on Pensacola Beach, and Annalora’s smile says it all. This brave and precious little girl finally beat Acute Lymphoid Leukemia after fighting nearly her entire life!
Logan
Logan: Age 6 – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
We were so excited to welcomed Logan and his family to a staycation on Pensacola Beach! Logan was a happy and healthy four year old when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
“Our entire world was turned upside down as we tried to manage Logan’s new diagnosis and care for his three siblings. We take things day by day now. We are so blessed with such an amazing son.” – Cheri Tan, Logan’s mom
Jurnee
Jurnee: Age 2 – Wilms Cancer
Soon after Hurricane Michael devastated the Panama City, Florida, area in October of 2018, Sunny Days reached out to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Pensacola to see if any of the pediatric oncology patients that they were treating had also been impacted by the hurricane. They introduced us to Jurnee, who was not only fighting cancer, but her family’s home and their neighborhood was severely impacted by Hurricane Michael.
In her young life, Jurnee has been on quite a difficult journey. She has seen cancer, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and a hurricane, but with the love of her family, the care of her doctors, and a brave little heart, she has overcome all that has stood in her way.
Ashton
Ashton: Age 7 – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
After being diagnosed with cancer at age 3 ½ , Ashton and his family endured 3 ½ years of treatment. Chemotherapy, long hospital stays, needles, steroids, hair loss, and spinal taps, for half of his life. But no more. On March 21, 2019, Ashton had his last treatment, and by summer time, he and his mother, father, and three brothers were ready for a well-deserved Sunny Days celebration vacation on the beautiful beaches of Pensacola Beach. As his mother posted on Ashton’s last day of treatment, “Here’s to a new journey, and a healthy life!”
Dominic
Dominic: Age 8 – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
“I wanted to tell you how grateful we are for our wonderful vacation. Dominic was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 5 and with that comes lots of hospital stays, which is to be expected during chemo treatments. Then he when into maintenance in June 2016. Maintenance is supposed to be an easy road, but with Dominic, we were in the ER and admitted to the hospital more than any other child our oncologist has ever treated (he said we hold the record). We definitely needed this family vacation and we can’t thank you enough. – The LaRocca Family”
Anya
Anya: Age 5 – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Anya is a beautiful little girl who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in 2017 when she was 3. Her single dad, Tony, took her to the hospital one day for what he thought was a cold to find out that she had cancer. Anya went through intensive chemotherapy for 8 months and is now in maintenance. As if they don’t have enough on their plate, their home in Marianna, FL was damaged during Hurricane Michael. Please keep this family in your prayers as they fight all that life has put before them.
Charley
Charley: Age 5 – Brain Cancer & Diencephalic Syndrome
“My family and would like to express great gratitude to your foundation. Because of your overwhelming generosity, my daughter felt the soft sand between her little toes and played in the ocean for the first time. Our family was able to just kick back and forget chemo, MRIs, rent, bills and just relax and enjoy each other’s company. We made so many memories that will last a lifetime and for that we are forever grateful. – Heather, Charley’s Mother”
In November of 2019, Charley passed away peacefully in the arms of her mother. In her six short years on earth, Charley made a tremendous impact in the lives of others. Charley’s family wishes to thank everyone who supported and loved them including her medical teams, friends, and everyone who was inspired by her.
Kate
Kate: Age 9, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
“Hi Sunny Days! We would like to thank you for the Sunny Days Vacation you have given our family. We all had a wonderful time. We will cherish the memories we have created. It’s been a while since I last saw Kate have fun like a “normal” kid. She loved it so much that she didn’t want to leave. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts! – The Brooks Family”
Van
Van: Age 4, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
“Our sweet, healthy, outgoing wild child Vandric was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in March of 2016 at just 2 years old. Our hearts were shattered. If it wasn’t for support, I don’t know how we would survive. We are so grateful for organizations like Sunny Days. Because of you, we got to live our ‘normal’ lives once again and enjoy a beautiful vacation without all the worries. Thank you, Sunny Days, for our fun in the sun! We will forever share these memories you gave to us. – The West Family”
Waylon
Waylon: Age 13, Medulloblastoma
When Waylon was 11 years old, he was a typical kid who was captain of his football team and loved playing sports. One day he started having terrible headaches and after several CAT scans and MRIs, it was determined that he had a brain tumor. The next day he had emergency surgery followed by intensive chemo and radiation. Two years later, when Waylon was referred to Sunny Days, he had won his fight against cancer! Waylon’s vacation was a celebration of his courage, his doctors, his family’s love and his return to being a typical kid.
Eduardo
Eduardo: Age 10, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
In August of 2016, Sunny Days welcomed Eduardo who came to us all the way from Rosharon, Texas. Eduardo and his family stayed in a beautiful gulf-view condo on Pensacola Beach, and enjoyed a dolphin cruise and meals at of our favorite Pensacola Beach restaurants.
“When I saw him yesterday, he looked better than I have ever seen him. All I needed to see was his smile. I cannot imagine anyone else who is more deserving of a break.” – Eduardo’s Healthcare Provider
Kena
Kena: Age 2, Yolk Sac Tumor
In March of 2016, Sunny Days was blessed to welcome Kena Spivey, a sweet and beautiful little 2 ½ year old girl from Elberta, Alabama, that was referred to us by Nemours Children’s Hospital in Pensacola. In 2014, Kena was diagnosed with a Stage 3 germ cell/yolk sac tumor on her uterus and cervix. Their Sunny Days vacation was a time of special memories for the family.
Please keep the Spivey family in your prayers as Kena lost her fight with cancer and made her trip up to heaven on September 29, 2016.
Kaila
Kaila: Age 13, Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia
“My family is so thankful for the Sunny Days vacation we received. Taking the time, money, and effort to give to a family that is struggling for peace and rest is just a full blown blessing! Thank you Sunny Days for your empathy and true kindness you have showed us. – The Kelly Family”
Ibrahim
Ibrahim: Age 12, Lymphoma
“We are very thankful for the amazing vacation that you guys gave us. We really enjoyed staying at a dreamy resort right next to the beach, waking up everyday to an amazing view of the ocean and the pool that Ibrahim took great advantage of. While at the resort, I feel as if my son’s mood improved drastically. He smiles 24/7 and he is more interactive as he once was before his diagnosis. Seeing him smile is the best gift I can ever receive. I couldn’t have achieved this without you guys. God Bless you guys! – Chami Family”
