This year's camp proceeds will go to Willa Scott from Ord. 

Willa was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on March 6, 2025 at 3 years old. Willa had barely any warning signs until the night before her diagnosis when her mom found extensive, inexplicable bruising covering her legs as she got ready for her bath. Willa was seen by her pediatrician the next morning and after a simple blood test, it was confirmed that she had some form of leukemia and was sent by ambulance to Children’s hospital in Omaha for further testing and to begin treatment immediately.

 

Once in Omaha, Willa began receiving blood and platelet transfusions, underwent surgery to have a port placed and started her extensive chemo regimen. The first month of treatment was absolutely devastating to watch our spitfire, active girl go from running circles around us to barely able to walk across the room without falling due to the intensive chemo and massive steroid doses she had to take. 

 

After the first month, we were able to finally head home and try to return to our altered reality. But still spent at least one day each week traveling to Omaha for treatments. In between time, Willa worked tirelessly at gaining her mobility back.

 

Willa finished the most intensive portion of her treatment, “frontline” in November 2025 but will continue with less-intense “maintenance” treatment until May 13, 2027. Since her start of treatment Willa has endured numerous pokes and port accesses/chemo infusions, 14 lumbar puncture surgeries for chemo to be placed in her spinal fluid, one emergency room visit, two ambulance rides, two hospitalizations, and daily doses of oral chemo for the last 5 months.

 

Throughout this past year, Willa has showed us what true strength is through her bravery and positive attitude. Treatment days are extremely hard for her but she takes it in stride and always has a plan for how she can be even stronger at her next appointment. Most days Willa enjoys going to preschool, playing with her friends, and learning her letters and numbers. But she also has to come home and swallow handfuls of pills each night, remember to take her emergency medical bag with her wherever she goes, and is still trying to regain the strength and coordination she lost during the more difficult portion of treatment. Willa Scout is knocking cancer out!