May 31, 2022 — Just days after Ever Young turned four years old, her mother and father heard the words no parent wants to hear: Your child has cancer.
The little girl who never complained about feeling bad suddenly complained about stomach pain. Because of this, her parents knew something was wrong and took her to the pediatrician, who then immediately sent her to Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida with concerns that Ever may have appendicitis. But after running tests, doctors discovered something much worse.
“It was a whirlwind and it was devastating. We were all caught off guard,” said Elizabeth Young, Ever’s mother. “Doctors couldn’t believe how she walked in the door to the hospital. She was acting so normal, just complaining about a tummy ache, but she was so sick.”
Ever was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and officially diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma. She began chemotherapy, and is now in remission. Thankfully, the pediatric oncology team had every resource available to treat Ever close to home at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Ever is this year’s champion for Southwest Florida’s Publix Miracles Campaign, which raises money for Golisano Children’s Hospital through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to help kids just like her.
As a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partner, Golisano Children’s Hospital receives support from its affiliated fundraising campaigns, like the upcoming Publix Miracles Campaign.
The Publix Miracles Campaign runs from June 1st through June 12th, and during that time, “miracle coupons” will be given to Publix customers who make a donation while at the register. The coupon booklet offers up to $20 in savings from leading vendors.
“This is such a meaningful campaign and we continue to be extremely grateful for our community’s support of Golisano Children’s Hospital,” said Chris Simoneau, Lee Health’s chief development, marketing and communications officer. “No matter how big or small your gift is, it will have a huge impact. Every dollar raised goes to help kids at Golisano Children’s Hospital, which is the region’s only children’s hospital.”
More than 60 Publix grocery stores in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties are a part of the campaign. Last year, Southwest Florida Publix stores raised more than $150,000 for Golisano Children’s Hospital. Nationally, Publix raised $4.4 million dollars in 2021 to support kids treated at their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals throughout North America.
The proceeds raised from the sale of the miracle coupons will help Golisano Children’s Hospital secure life-saving medical equipment and provide education and outreach programs, as well as family assistance. It helps families, just like Ever’s. Ever is one of more than 50 children diagnosed with cancer last year at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Golisano Children’s Hospital is one of only nine centers in the state to offer complete pediatric cancer care and many programs are funded through donations and community support.
Even though Ever is in remission, she continues to receive oral chemotherapy and infusions at Golisano Children’s Hospital as part of her cancer treatment.
“We live so close; we are so thankful to have Golisano Children’s Hospital in our backyard,” said Elizabeth. “It makes it so much easier on long treatment days. Ever would much rather be at home in her room in her bed than at the hospital. She’s been a real trooper through all this.”
About Golisano Children’s Hospital
Established by Lee Health in 1994, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has been named a “Top Hospital” three times by The Leapfrog Group. It is the only recognized children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Lee Health opened the new 134-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital in May 2017, relocating the children’s hospital from the adjacent HealthPark Medical Center. It includes comprehensive pediatric services including a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, milk lab, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 70 private rooms. Golisano Children’s Hospital is proud to have been named Soliant’s 2018 Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S., a recognition determined by popular vote. Since 2019, Golisano Children’s Hospital has been a proud member hospital of the Children’s Miracle Network. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.
