When you first meet Lulu Ivy, you see a bright, radiant soul with a smile that lights up any room. But behind that smile is a story of incredible resilience, an unwavering determination, and an unbreakable spirit that has carried her through more challenges than most people can even imagine. At just 19 years old, Lulu has spent over half her life battling osteosarcoma, an aggressive and potentially deadly bone cancer. Yet, despite the pain and heartache, she continues to fight. This is her story.
The Beginning of a Long Battle: A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Lulu was just 13 years old when the world as she knew it changed forever. She was a normal teenager, with the dreams and aspirations that come with youth, when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. The cancer, which primarily affects the bones, was aggressive. Doctors gave her a difficult prognosis, but they also gave her the option to fight. From that moment on, Lulu became more than just a young girl—she became a warrior.
Osteosarcoma is one of the most challenging cancers to fight, and it’s especially difficult when it affects such a young, growing body. But Lulu’s strength was immediate. She was determined to fight for her life, no matter how hard the road would be. Her family rallied behind her, providing unwavering support as she faced one of the toughest battles imaginable.
Surgeries, Chemotherapy, and Radiation: A Young Girl’s Fight for Her Life
In 2020, Lulu underwent a major surgery that would change her life forever. Doctors had to remove her pelvic bone, a critical and painful procedure in her battle against cancer. But Lulu didn’t let the surgery define her. She moved forward with a courage that was beyond her years. The recovery was difficult, the pain was intense, but she was focused on what came next: getting back to living her life.
The following years saw Lulu enduring countless rounds of chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and hospital visits. She pushed through days when she felt too weak to stand, days when the pain was unbearable, and days when all she could do was hold on to the hope that one day, the fight would be over. But no matter how tough things got, Lulu never gave up. She remained strong and resolute, fighting each battle like the warrior she is.
A High School Graduation: A Dream Come True Amid the Struggle
Lulu’s journey wasn’t just about the fight against cancer; it was also about holding on to the dreams and milestones every teenager wants to achieve. In May of 2025, Lulu achieved one of her most treasured dreams: she graduated from Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa. Despite everything she had been through—months of treatments, surgeries, and uncertainty—Lulu made it to that day.
Walking across the stage to receive her diploma, she wasn’t just celebrating her academic success; she was celebrating the sheer strength it took to get there. She had fought through pain, chemotherapy, radiation, and everything in between to stand tall on that stage. And when she received her diploma, it wasn’t just for her—it was for all the people who had supported her along the way, for the doctors who never gave up, and for her family who stood by her, day after day, through every single moment.
The Return of the Enemy: A Relapse That Shattered Her World
Just when things seemed to be looking up, Lulu received news that no one ever wants to hear: the cancer had returned. After five years of hard-fought recovery, the doctors informed her that the cancer had metastasized. The tumors had spread to her spinal cord, and they were inoperable.
The news was a crushing blow. It was as if the rug had been pulled out from under her once again. After everything Lulu had been through, the idea of fighting again seemed almost unbearable. But if anyone could face this, it was Lulu. She had done it before, and she was going to do it again.
Another Round of Chemotherapy: Fighting Again with Unwavering Determination
Even though she was devastated by the news, Lulu didn’t let herself give in to despair. She dug deep, tapping into the same strength she had used to fight the cancer the first time. She started chemotherapy again, determined to shrink the tumors and give herself the best chance at recovery. She also completed 15 rounds of radiation, a grueling process that drained her energy and tested her resolve.
With every new treatment, every new cycle of chemotherapy, Lulu continued to defy the odds. Her body grew weaker, but her spirit only grew stronger. She knew she couldn’t do this alone, so she leaned on her family and friends, who were always there, offering their love and support.
A New Hope: The Road Ahead and the Fight That Continues
Next week, Lulu will begin another round of chemotherapy, but she refuses to let it define her. She’s faced this battle before, and while she knows it will be a tough journey, she’s ready. She’s not fighting for just herself; she’s fighting for her future, for the moments she has yet to experience, and for the life she still wants to live.
In just a month, Lulu will return to MD Anderson in Houston for a check-up and scans. The family is hopeful that the treatments will continue to work, but the reality is that there are no guarantees. Lulu’s journey is one filled with uncertainty, but it is also filled with hope.
Lulu’s Unbreakable Spirit: A Message of Strength for Others
For those who are watching Lulu’s journey, there’s one thing that stands out above all else: her unbreakable spirit. Despite the pain, the fear, and the uncertainty, Lulu continues to push forward with a smile on her face and a heart full of hope. She loves life—she loves Taylor Swift and vinyl records, she loves WWE, and she adores Marvel Comics. She dreams of growing up, of living to enjoy all the things she loves.
And so, she fights. With every round of chemotherapy, with every hospital visit, with every setback, she fights. But more than anything, Lulu fights for the hope that one day, she’ll look back on this journey and see it as just a chapter in her story—a chapter she overcame with strength and love.
A Call for Support: Let’s Rally Behind Lulu
As Lulu begins her next round of chemotherapy, she needs more than ever to feel the support and love of those around her. She’s been fighting for years, but this time, the fight feels even more critical. If you are able, join in sending prayers, positive thoughts, and encouragement to Lulu as she tackles this next battle.
Her journey isn’t over yet, but she’s not walking it alone. Together, with the support of family, friends, and a community that believes in her, Lulu will keep fighting—and one day, she will ring that victory bell again.
Let’s show Lulu just how much she is loved. Let’s stand with her and cheer her on as she continues to show the world the true meaning of courage.
A Miracle of Strength, Hope, and Survival Against Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Laryngeal Cleft 924
When we found out we were pregnant with Clara, it was an exciting time for our family. We couldn’t wait to meet our little girl. But as my 20-week anatomy scan approached, we were faced with a diagnosis that would forever change our lives. Clara had Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), a rare and life-threatening condition where abdominal organs protrude into the chest cavity, putting pressure on the lungs and heart. We were devastated, but the road ahead was only just beginning to unfold.
At 16 weeks pregnant, the doctors confirmed the diagnosis and recommended further tests. We were referred to Children’s Hospital Colorado for more in-depth scans. Along with the CDH diagnosis, we learned that Clara had a Type 4 Laryngeal Cleft, a condition where her esophagus and airway were one single tube, making it difficult to separate her food from her air. Together, these conditions left Clara with a very low chance of survival. The odds were daunting, but the team at Children’s Hospital Colorado was unwavering in their dedication to Clara’s care.
We decided to relocate to St. Petersburg, Florida, where Dr. Kays, one of the world’s leading experts in CDH, would lead Clara’s care. As we approached the final weeks of my pregnancy, I went into early labor, and we rushed to St. Petersburg. Clara’s arrival on May 24th came just a day shy of 34 weeks, and she weighed 5 pounds, 6 ounces—every ounce making a difference in her fight for survival.
Within hours of Clara’s birth, we were hit with another devastating blow. We were told that Clara’s Type 4 Laryngeal Cleft would complicate her breathing and the management of her CDH. The severity of the situation left us in a state of shock, but Clara’s medical team, including Dr. Kays and Dr. Smithers, one of the top pediatric airway specialists, assured us that they would try everything they could to help her. We truly believe that had we been anywhere else, Clara would not have survived.
On May 28th, just four days after birth, Clara underwent her first surgery to repair her CDH. The surgery revealed that the hernia was more severe than initially thought, but Dr. Kays assured us that it was within his scope to repair. Three days later, Clara’s condition worsened due to complications with her airway, and she was placed on ECMO (heart-lung bypass). This decision accelerated the need for a second major surgery.
On June 4th, Clara underwent a life-saving surgery to repair her airway and esophagus. Dr. Smithers and Dr. Jennings worked together to separate her airway from her esophagus and placed a G-tube to help with feeding. It was a delicate and complex procedure, but it was a turning point in Clara’s journey. The doctors told us we needed a miracle, and it seemed that one was unfolding right before our eyes.
Clara’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. On June 15th, she came off ECMO, and by July 13th, her breathing tube was removed, and she was placed on CPAP. However, complications arose when Clara’s airway would collapse as she cried. This led to a diagnosis of tracheomalacia—a floppy airway that couldn’t stay open completely. To address this, Clara needed another surgery—tracheopexy—on August 26th to help keep her airway open.
Despite all the surgeries, Clara was still struggling with her airway and lung function. After several attempts to extubate her, it was determined that she would need a tracheostomy, which would allow her to breathe more easily and work towards going home. On September 23rd, Clara underwent her tracheostomy surgery, and we spent the next six weeks watching her grow stronger.
Just when we thought we were ready to leave the hospital, Clara developed Rhinovirus, which sent us back to the ICU for another two weeks. But after overcoming that setback, Clara was finally discharged for the second and final time on November 8th. We spent a few more weeks in St. Petersburg before finally returning home to Atlanta just before Christmas.
Clara’s strength throughout this entire journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. She has defied the odds every step of the way, and we are beyond proud of how far she has come. While Clara still has a long road ahead, including future surgeries, the outlook is incredibly positive. We hope that one day, Clara will attend kindergarten with nothing but a few scars to tell the story of her miraculous journey.
We are forever grateful to the amazing team at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Dr. Kays, Dr. Smithers, and all the medical professionals who fought for Clara’s life. We are also deeply thankful to the families who supported us through Tiny Hero and the friendships we formed along the way. Their encouragement and stories gave us the hope we needed when things seemed impossible. Clara’s journey is a reminder that miracles happen, and with hope, strength, and unwavering support, anything is possible.
