On a small farm in Kentucky, life often begins with the sound of little boots on the ground and a walk out to check on the sheep. That is where you will usually find Nina, a joyful, energetic toddler who is always on the move. She is a go getter, the fourth child in a busy, close knit family, and she adores her big brothers, her sister, and especially babies. Baby dolls line her room, books are stacked beside her bed, and every night she snuggles close to hear stories with her nine year old sister.
“She asks to be read to every day,” her mom shares. “Books are her favorite.”
Nina is also brave, far braver than most of us will ever have to be.
At just 11 months old, Nina was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare form of pediatric eye cancer that typically affects children under the age of two. According to the National Cancer Institute, retinoblastoma develops in the retina and, when detected early and treated appropriately, is highly curable. Without treatment, however, it can be life threatening.
In Kentucky, there are no specialists who treat this disease. The care Nina needed could only be found at Children’s Wisconsin, more than seven and a half hours away by car.
For a family raising four young children while facing mounting medical bills, the logistics felt overwhelming.
“Our daughter’s doctor is out of state,” her mom explains. “That first year, we traveled once a month. We could not have afforded flights while raising four young children and managing the cost of cancer treatment.”
That is where Miracle Flights stepped in.
By providing free flights to specialized medical care, Miracle Flights transformed exhausting, all day drives into manageable travel and ensured Nina had consistent access to lifesaving treatment. Instead of spending days on the road, the family could focus on what mattered most, being together and supporting Nina through her journey.
“I am so thankful for Miracle Flights,” her mom says. “Flying makes her doctor visits so much easier. Having that option is a huge relief and lets us focus on what is most important, walking alongside our daughter on her cancer journey.”
Today, Nina is a happy, curious, and courageous toddler. She has completed chemotherapy, fingers crossed, and her eye and brain continue to be monitored closely. Thanks to timely, specialized care, her prognosis is good. Without that care, the outcome would have been very different.
“This type of cancer is very treatable,” her mom shares. “But without care, it would be fatal.”
Pediatric cancer is a long road, but children are remarkably resilient. And when families do not have to choose between medical care and financial survival, hope has room to grow.
Miracle Flights exists for children like Nina and for parents who simply want the chance to help their child heal.
Your support turns long distances into manageable journeys. It helps families breathe again. And most importantly, it helps children get the care they need to grow up loving books, cuddling siblings, and walking out to see the sheep with dad.
Join us in helping more children like Nina take flights toward a healthier future.
