09/25/2025
Two days after her 8th birthday, Rylie, nickname āHopie,ā was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer: Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT). Doctors gave her just a 7% chance of surviving the year.
From day one, Hopieās family chose to protect her light. No tears, no fear ā only love, strength, and fierce determination. And Hopie fought with everything she had.
She endured over a dozen rounds of chemo, two stem cell transplants, more than 25 procedures and surgeries, three cancer diagnoses and countless setbacks ā and countless comebacks.
Through it all, Hopie never stopped inspiring. Her courage was quiet but mighty. Her love, unwavering. Her spirit, unbreakable. Though her body grew tired, Hopie never lost her battle.
She won ā with every smile, every step, every moment of hope.
In her memory, Hopieās mom founded Hope for Warriors, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families facing pediatric cancer. They recently held their second annual event ā a celebration of strength, love, and the legacy of a little girl who never stopped fighting.
Proceeds from this event benefit the Child Life Program at Advocate Childrenās Hospital in Park Ridge ā helping bring comfort, joy and healing to children and families facing medical challenges.
