Join Team Tallulah in her fight against Leukemia

Hello Friends,

Many of you personally know 3-year-old Tallulah Heatley who was diagnosed in June with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). For those of you who don’t personally know her, well, she is probably one of the strongest, most positive, energetic, happy little curly-haired souls out there, and we know you would love her just like we do. Tallulah’s mom, Melissa Utt Heatley, is quite a private person, but finally has given us permission to share her current family struggle as we know that people will want to help her during this difficult time.

When Tallulah was unexpectedly diagnosed with Leukemia on June 22, 2022, she immediately received blood and platelet transfusions, as well as the surgical installation of a central line in her chest cavity through which she receives intensive chemotherapy regimens and other drugs. She has also undergone repeated bone marrow biopsies, and lumbar punctures to directly check for and treat leukemia cells that are found in the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Tallulah’s journey is just beginning as she will continue to undergo treatment for the next 2.5 years with the hope and prayer that she will enter complete remission and live a long, healthy, and happy life.

While these treatments will be more or less intense at times depending on her prognosis, Tallulah is surrounded by an incredible team of doctors and nurses at VCU Children’s Hospital of Richmond and an amazing, loving support network of close family members and friends. However, the financial implications of these long-term treatments are yet to be determined. Tallulah’s mom, Melissa, is a full-time working single mom whose commission-based career will undoubtedly be affected by her first and foremost priority as Tallulah’s caregiver. At this stage, it is unclear exactly what insurance will cover, but it is clear that there will also be additional medical bills. If we help raise these funds for her, she will not have to worry as much about making money to put food on the table, pay the mortgage, and tackle those bills that will start piling up from time missed at work.

We know that many people are currently going through financial issues and completely understand if you cannot donate, but even just keeping this special little girl and her family in your thoughts and prayers will be very much appreciated. Additional ways you can help are to donate blood and platelets in Tallulah’s honor.

Thank you all, and we will update you soon on Tallulah’s progress.

Organizers: Krissy Haley Balzer, Robbie Bradley, Julia Dorsey, Meg Hendrick Downs