Help us raise money

Hazel Balthrop was diagnosed with B-Cell ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) on January 10, 2023. At the time, Hazel was a normal 4 year old girl. She loved dance, gymnastics, art, princesses, and a unique love of Stevie Nicks. At the time of diagnosis, Hazel’s only symptom at the time was a significant amount of bruising on her arms, torso and legs. She was an otherwise healthy, energized, happy 4 year old girl. Hazel’s parents grew concerned after a few days of unexplained bruising, and urgently sent photos of the bruising to their pediatrician, who immediately called them in for a blood panel. Within a matter of hours the family received a devastating diagnosis- Hazel had leukemia. Hazel’s parents spent the next 3 weeks in the hospital with her, leaving behind her infant sister at home with family, to embark on a 5 year journey- one that is still very much underway. 

B-cell ALL is a minimum 2 ½ year treatment, with 3 years of follow up labs to monitor and check for signs of relapse. Hazel will be done with her active treatment on March 20, 2025, and will move onto the monitoring stage. She will ring the bell on April 18th and celebrate with her friends and family. 

Throughout treatment Hazel has endured daily at-home chemotherapy, frequent steroids, long in-clinic days of chemotherapy, 18 lumbar punctures where she is put under anesthesia and both given chemotherapy into her spinal fluid, as well as having spinal fluid tested for traces of chemo, and consistent port access in order to get labs, and monitor her counts. Hazel lost all of her hair in June, 2023. She missed her second half of her year of TK, and much of her kindergarten and first grade years. Hazel has missed countless experiences, and lost out on much of her childhood due to this diagnosis. She has experienced countless side effects from chemo and steroids, in addition to a severely compromised immune system and new-found anxiety for anything doctor related.

However, due to her remarkable team at UC Davis Children’s Cancer Center, Hazel has also had many normal opportunities. She’s been approved to return to school as much as possible with precautions in place, as long as her counts are okay. She has participated in soccer, dance and swim. She has gone on small trips, attended birthday parties and enjoyed her Make-A-Wish trip. Hazel has developed trust for a medical team who deeply earned it, and a life-long love for friends who have become close family. Through all of the challenges and pain of the experience, there have been glimmers of good. 

Hazel has a long way to go, but she has come tremendously far. She continues to blow everyone away with her resilience, bravery, forgiveness, perspective and overall brilliance. No child should experience this. No family should experience this. Community is the only way to get through it. 

Hazel’s family has documented her story, attempted to advocate for pediatric cancer awareness, and worked to support a sense of solidarity and community through their healing_hazelnut instagram page. There are many non-profit organizations geared towards supporting these children in different ways. 

Mama Bear’s Fighting Childhood Cancer is a local, Sacramento based non-profit. They were Hazel’s family’s first point of contact when entering this world of pediatric cancer. MBFCC aims to be the first boots on the ground when a family lands in this uncertain territory by providing community, access to support systems, resources and a large wagon of supplies. These supplies support hospital stays, basic comforts, and other identified family needs. This non profit was founded by mothers within the community who deeply understand and have walked this journey. They single handedly supported Hazel’s family, and others like them, in ensuring they knew they were NOT alone, and that they had an entire community standing behind them, giving them tools and support. 

We appreciate you taking the time to read about our girl. Please consider supporting and donating to resources listed above OR this donation page. ANY support helps. Thank you for loving us!