“When we found out Four Diamonds was going to cover all of Blakey’s medical costs, we were overcome with emotion. They took that burden so we could focus on Blakely and her health.” – Spencer, Four Diamonds dad to Blakely
In July of 2024, Four Diamonds child Blakely was a typical one-and-a-half-year-old. She was full of life and a little ball of energy. She began walking at just 10 months, showing early development in many areas. She especially loved spending time outdoors, enjoying activities like golfing and fishing with her dad, Spencer.
Then, suddenly, things started regressing. Blakely’s walking seemed to be getting worse; she was favoring one leg and didn’t seem to want to put much weight on the other. She had intermittent, low-grade fevers, and then she stopped walking altogether.
Spencer and his wife, Tori, took Blakely to the orthopedic center for x-rays, but the results showed no evidence of anything. They put Blakey’s leg in a cast and told her parents to continue monitoring her.
A few days later, things weren’t getting any better, so they took Blakely for a second opinion. Another set of x-rays was ordered, this time further up in Blakey’s leg. The results showed something, but the doctors weren’t sure what it was, so they ordered bloodwork. Within an hour, Spencer and Tori received calls from two different doctors telling them to go to the hospital immediately. At this point, they knew something was wrong.
Shortly after they arrived at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, Spencer, Tori and Blakely were taken to a counseling room, where they received the devastating news that Blakely had B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-cell ALL). When they walked into the hospital that day, they had no idea they’d be there for the next 14 days, enduring 3 blood transfusions, 2 platelet transfusions and port placement surgery along the way.
As they sat in that counseling room trying to process what was happening, Aubrey, their Four Diamonds social worker, came in to meet them. “It was so much to take in at one time,” said Tori. “When Aubrey came in and told us we wouldn’t have to pay for any of Blakely’s treatments, it was very emotional. I can’t imagine how we would have paid for this without support from Four Diamonds.”
Blakely responded well to her initial treatments, and a long-term care plan was established. Along with chemotherapy, she had to do physical therapy to learn how to walk again, and she gained almost 10 pounds from the steroid treatments, which she had to work off. Four Diamonds was there every step of the way.
“It’s even the little things, like Four Diamonds pays for the cream for Blakely’s port, and they provide Spencer and I with meal vouchers when we need to stay at the hospital with Blakely,” said Tori. “We were actually in the hospital over Christmas, and Four Diamonds provided Blakely with presents to make sure she still had a good Christmas. They really do it all.”
Spencer continued, “The level of care is top-notch. A few years ago, when we were looking to buy a home, this area wasn’t even on our radar. But now I know we ended up here for a reason, and this was all part of the plan. If you’re battling childhood cancer, there’s no better place to be than with Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.”
One highlight of their journey has been Penn State THON™. Spencer and Tori asked Aubrey what THON was because they heard people talking about it at the hospital. They were immediately paired with 2 orgs, ROTC for both the Army and Navy, and they were invited to attend THON Weekend 2025. “Blakely loved THON Weekend,” said Spencer. “She talks about it at least once a week. Her favorite part was meeting the Penn State Nittany Lion mascot!”
Today, Blakely is in long-term maintenance. She takes at home chemo every day and steroids as needed and visits the hospital once a month for counts and every 3 months for spinal taps. Blakely is scheduled to ring the bell in October 2026, which will signify the end of her treatment.
Spencer and Tori say at this point, she is a pro. “When it’s time to visit the hospital, Blakely knows what to expect at this point; she knows the drill. We have a bag full of special toys and items that are only for hospital visits. As hard as it is, we try our best to make this a fun experience for Blakely, because we know she feeds off our energy,” said Spencer.
Spencer and Tori say Blakely hasn’t changed one bit during this journey. She still has a heart of gold and is so caring. She has a new baby brother than she loves to help take care of, and when she grows up, Blakey says she wants to be a surgeon! “Blakely is so strong,” said Tori. “We know there are big things in store for her.”
To learn more about how Four Diamonds helps families like Blakely's while facing childhood cancer, click here.