My name is Leidiane Kelly, and I’m writing this with a heart heavier than I ever thought possible as a mother. My husband, Michael Kelly, and I are facing the most terrifying experience of our lives as we fight alongside our beloved baby boy, Castiel.
Castiel is joy personified. He is bright-eyed, full of giggles, incredibly cuddly, and has the sweetest little personality. He is the kind of baby who reaches out for you and instantly steals your heart. He is the light of our lives and deeply loved by his big brother, Nicollas, who is 13 years old and has such a sweet and gentle heart.
Just recently, Michael and I noticed a bump on Castiel’s head. Then we found another one on his neck. We were immediately worried and took him for an ultrasound. We waited two agonizing days for that appointment, hoping and praying that it would be something we could treat and move past.
But within an hour of leaving the office, we received a call that changed our entire world.
We were told to take Castiel to Children’s Hospital immediately.
Our beautiful baby boy was diagnosed with Stage Four High-Risk Neuroblastoma.
Doctors discovered dozens of tumors throughout his tiny body, including his spine, kidneys, lungs, skull, neck, and bones. He is only a baby, yet he is already facing a battle that no child should ever have to endure.
Since his diagnosis, Castiel has already gone through more than we could have ever imagined for our little boy:
His first full five-day round of chemotherapy
A bone marrow extraction
Two blood transfusions
Multiple biopsies
And this is only the beginning.
His treatment plan is going to be aggressive and invasive, involving more chemotherapy, blood transfusions, scans, surgeries, radiation, and many more difficult procedures. His little body is already reacting to the treatment. He has been in pain and is dealing with painful sores in his mouth and other difficult side effects that he is far too young to understand.
He is even teething right now—a bittersweet reminder that he should simply be at home growing, laughing, playing, and reaching all the normal milestones of babyhood.
As his parents, Michael and I would do absolutely anything to take this pain away from him.
At the same time, we are doing everything we can to be there for our older son, Nicollas. He depends on consistency, routine, and close attention, and we want to make sure that he continues to feel safe, loved, and supported while our family spends so much time in hospitals and away from home.
Our entire world has changed overnight.
We are now facing overwhelming medical expenses, travel, parking, lodging, meals, childcare, and the loss of income as we have to miss work to care for our children. Our only priority right now is Castiel—to be by his side, to make sure he gets every treatment available to him, and to give him every chance to fight this terrible disease.
We never imagined that we would have to ask for help, but right now, we cannot do this alone.
We are humbly asking our family, friends, and community to stand beside us. If you are able to donate, every dollar will help us with Castiel’s medical care and the many expenses that come with this long and difficult journey.
If you cannot donate, please share Castiel’s story. Even sharing this fundraiser can help us reach someone who may be able to make a difference.
And above everything else, please pray for our baby boy.
Castiel may be tiny, but he is already showing us a strength we never knew was possible. He is our little warrior, and we will continue fighting beside him every step of the way.
We are praying for healing. We are praying for strength. We are praying for better days ahead.
Please stand with Castiel and our family during the fight of his life.
With love and gratitude,
Leidiane Kelly
Mother of Castiel
Castiel is joy personified. He is bright-eyed, full of giggles, incredibly cuddly, and has the sweetest little personality. He is the kind of baby who reaches out for you and instantly steals your heart. He is the light of our lives and deeply loved by his big brother, Nicollas, who is 13 years old and has such a sweet and gentle heart.
Just recently, Michael and I noticed a bump on Castiel’s head. Then we found another one on his neck. We were immediately worried and took him for an ultrasound. We waited two agonizing days for that appointment, hoping and praying that it would be something we could treat and move past.
But within an hour of leaving the office, we received a call that changed our entire world.
We were told to take Castiel to Children’s Hospital immediately.
Our beautiful baby boy was diagnosed with Stage Four High-Risk Neuroblastoma.
Doctors discovered dozens of tumors throughout his tiny body, including his spine, kidneys, lungs, skull, neck, and bones. He is only a baby, yet he is already facing a battle that no child should ever have to endure.
Since his diagnosis, Castiel has already gone through more than we could have ever imagined for our little boy:
His first full five-day round of chemotherapy
A bone marrow extraction
Two blood transfusions
Multiple biopsies
And this is only the beginning.
His treatment plan is going to be aggressive and invasive, involving more chemotherapy, blood transfusions, scans, surgeries, radiation, and many more difficult procedures. His little body is already reacting to the treatment. He has been in pain and is dealing with painful sores in his mouth and other difficult side effects that he is far too young to understand.
He is even teething right now—a bittersweet reminder that he should simply be at home growing, laughing, playing, and reaching all the normal milestones of babyhood.
As his parents, Michael and I would do absolutely anything to take this pain away from him.
At the same time, we are doing everything we can to be there for our older son, Nicollas. He depends on consistency, routine, and close attention, and we want to make sure that he continues to feel safe, loved, and supported while our family spends so much time in hospitals and away from home.
Our entire world has changed overnight.
We are now facing overwhelming medical expenses, travel, parking, lodging, meals, childcare, and the loss of income as we have to miss work to care for our children. Our only priority right now is Castiel—to be by his side, to make sure he gets every treatment available to him, and to give him every chance to fight this terrible disease.
We never imagined that we would have to ask for help, but right now, we cannot do this alone.
We are humbly asking our family, friends, and community to stand beside us. If you are able to donate, every dollar will help us with Castiel’s medical care and the many expenses that come with this long and difficult journey.
If you cannot donate, please share Castiel’s story. Even sharing this fundraiser can help us reach someone who may be able to make a difference.
And above everything else, please pray for our baby boy.
Castiel may be tiny, but he is already showing us a strength we never knew was possible. He is our little warrior, and we will continue fighting beside him every step of the way.
We are praying for healing. We are praying for strength. We are praying for better days ahead.
Please stand with Castiel and our family during the fight of his life.
With love and gratitude,
Leidiane Kelly
Mother of Castiel
