Kayleigh loved playing indoor and outdoor soccer. In 2014, her soccer playing suffered as she began having problems with her balance. She also developed a tremor in her right hand. Kayleigh took it in stride and switched to writing with her left hand instead, but her parents were worried and took her to the pediatrician, who referred them to the neuro unit. There, Kayleigh had an MRI done which showed a 3cm tumor in her cerebellum, close to her brain stem. She was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer. This all occurred within three days.

Within six days, she had the tumor removed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Kayleigh completed all 36 treatments of radiation both to her brain and spinal cord. She then underwent nine cycles of chemotherapy at Cincinnati Children's. Sadly, Kaleigh passed away in April of 2018.

Kayleigh has been a great friend to so many kids. She was always eager to help out, and was caring and a great big sister to her baby brother. She was also her dad's little girl and his go-to girl for joking around and making his day better.

Kayleigh’s dad, who served in the military, says that it put his own experiences in perspective and he feels like “just” a combat veteran when he thinks about the strength and endurance Kayleigh had during the marathon of her cancer treatment.

Hero Quote: “Cancer sucks, it’s a scientific fact."

Information provided by Sean Hogan, Kayleigh’s father
October 2019


Pictured above: Kayleigh with her mom supported Leah Still, a fellow cancer fighter.