Treatments for Toni

Probably the most difficult words to hear as a parent are "your child is sick" and even more difficult is watching your child suffer from something that you have no control over. This is exactly what happened to one of our families, Tracey and Ryan Smith.

Tracey and Ryan came to tour my school, Sunshine & Rainbows when their daughter Toni was 2 years old. They were overjoyed at experiencing the next chapter of Toni's journey but I don't think it even touched the excitement I saw in Toni's face. Toni's smile lit up the room, her kind eyes and gentle nature tugged on my heartstrings and I knew that I couldn't wait for her to start school with us!

Through a little investigation we found out that Ryan was a “Cape Cod Kid” and went to Barnstable High School. Through mutual friends, Ryan and Tracey met and started their lives together here on Cape Cod seven years ago. They bought a house in Harwich and got married in 2015. Ryan took a job with Mitchell Landscape Construction and he loved it! Then came Toni, who was born in October of 2020. A perfectly healthy and happy baby. They were so excited to start their family and quickly became a part of our Cape Cod community.

All of this came crashing down when Toni was admitted into the ICU at Boston Children's hospital on February 1, 2024. Ryan and Tracey brought Toni into her pediatrician because she looked pale and was running a fever. From there it was blood work and then straight to Boston for transfusions and removal of bone marrow from her hip. That is when Ryan and Tracey received the terrible news that Toni was being diagnosed with Leukemia.

Toni is now in her 32 day in patient treatment plan. She will then continue this plan for two more years. Unfortunately, they did find leukemia in her spinal fluid so she is also undergoing spinal taps twice a week where they insert chemo directly into her spine.

Ryan and Tracey haven't left her side. Whether it be Ryan driving back to the Cape to check on their dog, Abigail (who is so graciously being watched by friends and family) or Tracey driving back to get one of Toni's favorite toys, one of them is always right there for her.

When it comes to your child, there is no other choice but choosing your child above all else. Unfortunately, that means other trivial things fall to the wayside. Work isn't the main priority, Toni is, but this still means that bills still have to be paid. Toni needs to be in the hospital, she needs the vital treatments and medicines to make her body heal.

The Smith's are in for a long road and they need our help. It's with the most humble of hearts that we ask that you consider donating to this incredible family so they are able to focus on what's truly important, Toni.