Marloe Rain was a soul full of sunshine. She had the biggest blue eyes that immediately drew you in and a giggle that could light up any room. She loved Finding Nemo and most of all Moana. She danced her way through multiple rounds of radiation and even kept dancing to her favorite songs through the harshest rounds of chemotherapy.

For three months, Marloe’s mom, Lacey, took her daughter to the ER twice a week for persistent symptoms: low-grade fevers, no appetite, and projectile vomiting daily. As it all progressed, Marloe went in for an X-ray which led to a CT scan. That’s when doctors found a 16cm tumor on her kidney. At first, she was diagnosed with Wilms tumor, but after pathology came back she was correctly diagnosed with malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney.

The large tumor had already ruptured and spread to Marloe’s lungs. She immediately went into a four-hour surgery that lasted closer to seven hours. The surgery successfully removed the tumor, her left kidney, and six inches of her colon.

As a follow-up, Marloe underwent one round of VDC chemotherapy and 11 rounds of radiation. So much radiation made her colon sensitive, which caused extra difficulties for her. Then she rotated VDC and ICE chemotherapy, and doctors harvested her cells. She was hospitalized with typhlitis multiple times. She had a feeding tube for months with the bridle, which helped with her aggressive vomiting. She fought so hard.

Sadly, Marloe Rain passed away.

She has been a hero to her mom, Lacey, ever since the day she proved to be nearly invincible – Marloe had coded twice from medication given to her after surgery and had to be intubated. Lacey remembers how she slowly came to and started doing her little famous dance moves.

Lacey’s hope is now to share Marloe’s story to spread awareness, to push parents to advocate for their children, and to be supportive of other families like hers. “I want her story and sweet face everywhere and hope she helps change so many lives by teaching others to slow down and appreciate what they have,” said Lacey. “My girl moved mountains, and I hope to do the same in honor of her.”

Hope is important to Lacey. It’s what she receives from foundations like Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). Through ALSF, she hopes that one day there be enough awareness that childhood cancer will no longer be labeled a “rare” disease, and this will lead to more donations for research to ultimately find a cure.

“The tears in Marloe’s siblings’ heavy eyes on the day of their baby sister’s funeral said more than they ever could,” shared Lacey. “Be strong. Be patient. Be proud. Share their story. They matter – so much.”

Information provided by Lacey M., Marloe’s mom
Updated August 2024