September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and one Colorado family has set a big goal with the hope of raising awareness. Five-year-old Bellamy was diagnosed with leukemia in February, placing a big obstacle in the child’s life.”Not in a million years did I think that my child could have cancer,” Bellamy’s mother Sarah Bailey said.Bailey said treatment for Bellamy’s leukemia started off aggressively with 11 straight nights at the hospital.When they did get home, the once outdoorsy child couldn’t move like she used to.However, Bellamy says she still loves “being outside in nature.”She slowly worked up her strength to get back outdoors in the mountains of Colorado.Before her treatment ends in 2025, Bellamy and her mom set a goal — complete 100 hikes. Oftentimes, Bellamy is leading the way.”Some days she’s in my backpack the whole time and some days she’s doing more of it,” Bailey said.The hikes are cathartic and healthy for both Bellamy and her mom.”I know how much it supports my mental health. For her it supports a myriad of things, her mental health, her physical health, we’ve seen what it has done for her immune system,” Bailey said. “It really supports her immune system. And this stinks, but the beautiful thing about it is that we are together and I’ll take that silver lining. I’ll take getting to be with her.”With more than 20 hikes down so far, they have big plans after treatment ends. A hiking group in Colorado is hosting a community event on Tuesday to help cheer on the 5-year-old.”What kind of celebration do you want to have?” Bailey asked her daughter.”Maybe you need to buy me a cake!” Bellamy said.In the meantime, the two are hoping to encourage others struggling through something difficult to get outside if they can.”I know it’s hard. It’s not, it doesn’t look perfect every day for us, but even little walks, little hikes, we’re better off after them,” Bailey said.Oh, and one last thing, according to Bellamy. “Kick cancer’s booty!” she said.
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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and one Colorado family has set a big goal with the hope of raising awareness.
Five-year-old Bellamy was diagnosed with leukemia in February, placing a big obstacle in the child’s life.
“Not in a million years did I think that my child could have cancer,” Bellamy’s mother Sarah Bailey said.
Bailey said treatment for Bellamy’s leukemia started off aggressively with 11 straight nights at the hospital.
When they did get home, the once outdoorsy child couldn’t move like she used to.
However, Bellamy says she still loves “being outside in nature.”
She slowly worked up her strength to get back outdoors in the mountains of Colorado.
Before her treatment ends in 2025, Bellamy and her mom set a goal — complete 100 hikes. Oftentimes, Bellamy is leading the way.
“Some days she’s in my backpack the whole time and some days she’s doing more of it,” Bailey said.
The hikes are cathartic and healthy for both Bellamy and her mom.
“I know how much it supports my mental health. For her it supports a myriad of things, her mental health, her physical health, we’ve seen what it has done for her immune system,” Bailey said. “It really supports her immune system. And this stinks, but the beautiful thing about it is that we are together and I’ll take that silver lining. I’ll take getting to be with her.”
With more than 20 hikes down so far, they have big plans after treatment ends. A hiking group in Colorado is hosting a community event on Tuesday to help cheer on the 5-year-old.
“What kind of celebration do you want to have?” Bailey asked her daughter.
“Maybe you need to buy me a cake!” Bellamy said.
In the meantime, the two are hoping to encourage others struggling through something difficult to get outside if they can.
“I know it’s hard. It’s not, it doesn’t look perfect every day for us, but even little walks, little hikes, we’re better off after them,” Bailey said.
Oh, and one last thing, according to Bellamy.
“Kick cancer’s booty!” she said.
