For Ruby, a visit to Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital could mean putting on a princess dress, making music with her favorite music therapist or finding moments of joy during a difficult time.
At just three years old, Ruby faced months of Wilms tumor treatment after being diagnosed with this type of kidney cancer. With support from Four Diamonds, her family navigated the uncertainty of childhood cancer while helping Ruby continue to be a kid.
An Unexpected Childhood Cancer Diagnosis
In April, Ruby’s mom, Liz, never imagined that blood in her daughter’s urine would lead to a cancer diagnosis.
After an initial emergency room visit ruled out a urinary tract infection and kidney stone, the family planned to follow up with a urologist. Before that appointment, Ruby experienced blood in her urine again.
Liz called Ruby’s urologist, who arranged an emergency ultrasound right away. The imaging revealed a mass on Ruby’s kidney that doctors suspected was a Wilms tumor.
Liz remembers hearing the news in front of Ruby and trying to hold herself together for her daughter.
“It was the scariest moment of my life. Nothing is worse than someone telling you, ‘Your baby has cancer,’” said Liz.
Ruby was admitted to the hospital that same day. Because she also had high blood pressure, she spent time in the pediatric intensive care unit before undergoing surgery to remove the tumor.
Liz and her husband, Weston, live near Hershey and were familiar with Four Diamonds, Mini-THON® and THON™. However, they did not fully understand the impact of Four Diamonds until their family faced childhood cancer firsthand.
“We were so scared and had no idea what was going to happen or if Ruby was going to be okay. To have someone come alongside us and help was the only relief we had in the short time at the hospital,” said Liz.
Through Four Diamonds, eligible families receive coverage for cancer-related medical expenses not covered by insurance at Golisano Children’s Hospital. This support allowed Liz and Weston to focus on Ruby’s treatment and recovery without the added worry of how they would pay for her care.
Finding Comfort Through Music Therapy
Following surgery, Ruby's Wilms tumor treatment continued with five months of chemotherapy. Because her tumor was caught early, she was able to receive a less intensive treatment plan, with most appointments taking place on an outpatient basis.
Even with a less intensive treatment plan, the experience was difficult for a young child. Ruby struggled with having her port accessed and spending long days in the clinic.
Four Diamonds music therapist Darlene helped make those experiences easier.
“Meeting Darlene changed treatment for Ruby. I had no idea music therapy could help a child through that. It made it not this scary thing,” said Liz.
Before appointments, Ruby would ask if Miss Darlene would be there and look forward to seeing her.
Music therapy is one of the psychosocial support services available to Four Diamonds children. Through interactive music experiences, music therapists help children manage stress, cope with pain and improve their mood during treatment.
For Ruby, music therapy helped make port access less intimidating and gave her something fun to focus on during treatment.
Support from hospital staff, family and friends also helped the family through difficult days. Ruby’s doctors and nurses answered their questions and concerns, while loved ones helped them stay positive throughout her treatment.
Liz also leaned on her faith. The words “Do not worry,” which appear throughout the Bible, had been meaningful to her for years before Ruby’s diagnosis. She had the words tattooed on her arm as a reminder.
“I never thought I would be looking at it as I’m holding my baby while she’s getting chemo,” said Liz.
Life After Wilms Tumor Treatment
In September, Ruby rang the bell to celebrate the end of her cancer treatment. While the milestone brought excitement, her family continues to navigate the uncertainty that can follow treatment.
Ruby receives scans every three months to monitor her health and ensure her cancer remains gone.
“After she rang the bell, I expected myself to sigh in relief, but now it’s more about processing what happened and what could still happen. Her prognosis is so great, but there’s always that in the back of your mind,” said Liz.
Four Diamonds continues to support Ruby and her family through follow-up appointments and psychosocial programs. Recently, Ruby, Liz and Ruby’s older brother attended a Four Diamonds event that brought newly diagnosed families together.
For Liz, the event offered more than a fun day out. It was an opportunity to spend time with people who understood what it was like to navigate a childhood cancer diagnosis.
Life looks different for the family now. Connecting with others who understand their experience helps make the road ahead a little easier. Liz finds herself more aware of the challenges families can face and more grateful for the little moments and everyday joys.
Today, Ruby is back to being a kid. She loves playing with baby dolls, building with blocks and attending preschool.
Giving Back with Gratitude
Ruby’s diagnosis has inspired her family to give back to Four Diamonds so other children and families can receive the same care and support they did.
Liz wants to raise awareness of childhood cancer, including the signs and symptoms of different types of cancer. She also hopes to highlight the need for continued investment in pediatric cancer research.
“I want to be an advocate. I want to share our story. I want people to see that joy can exist in the scariness, but we have to continue to do more for these kids,” said Liz.
Ruby’s older sister, a high school senior, is helping make a difference through her school’s Mini-THON, where she is part of a team fundraising for Four Diamonds.
The family has also created Team Ruby shirts to sell, with proceeds benefiting Four Diamonds. The back of each shirt features the words “I can do hard things,” a phrase the family repeated throughout Ruby’s treatment to help them stay strong.
As the family reflects on Ruby’s journey, gratitude remains at the heart of their efforts to give back. From financial assistance that allowed them to focus on Ruby’s care to music therapy that brought moments of joy during treatment, Four Diamonds helped make a difficult experience a little easier.
“I’m so grateful for the continued support, not just during treatment, but after as well. It means a lot that Ruby could have some happiness and joy while she’s having chemotherapy. We can’t thank Four Diamonds enough,” said Liz.
By sharing their story and supporting Four Diamonds, Ruby’s family hopes to help more children experience that same care, comfort and support throughout their cancer journeys.