once upon a time there was a little girl. her name was maddy. she was a little under 2 years old. she was feisty and sweet and had a smile that would light up the kingdom. but one day this little girl was diagnosed with leukemia. everyone’s hearts were broken. but the little girl had super powers. she could make this tragic disease turn into a love machine. with her super powers she surrounded herself with love. she created so much love that she made everyone’s hearts heal but then they burst because they were so full of her love. people from near and far would miraculously feel the same effect. and the world was a better place.

from her little spot looking out the window of her house, or from her couch, her hospital bed or in the company of her big brother, she continues to make sure that the cancer cells in her little body disappear but magically transform to an overwhelming desire to love.

here is her story through pictures taken by the beautiful and incomparable queen of this love-filled kingdom: her mother.

if you would like to make sure that no parent hears the words “your child has cancer”, you can support maddy and every child out there that has leukemia by contributing to the fundraising efforts of jennifer reichek and team in training for the leukemia and lymphoma society. jen is running in honor of maddy, who is now two years old and still spreading her love to the world from her .

photograph courtesy of erin mccarthy of the smallest sparrow photography