At just 5 years old, Braelynn Smith from Prattville, Alabama, is a bundle of sass and personality. She loves Hello Kitty, coloring books, and riding her bike. Her favorite things in the world are pizza, princesses, and the color pink. Yet, despite her joyful heart and vibrant spirit, Braelynn has been fighting a battle far beyond what any child should have to endure. Last November, Braelynn was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, and she has been undergoing intense treatment ever since.
Braelynn’s journey began with the shock and heartbreak of her diagnosis, but her courage and positivity have shone through every step of the way. She is currently in the midst of delayed intensification therapy, a phase of chemotherapy designed to strengthen the treatment and prevent the leukemia from returning. While this treatment is necessary to give Braelynn the best chance of remission, it hasn’t come without its challenges.
The past few months have been difficult for Braelynn. She’s battled two viruses while enduring the harsh side effects of her treatment. Fatigue has taken a toll on her, and she has been sleeping a lot more than usual. Despite this, Braelynn has remained incredibly brave, facing every day with strength that belies her age. Her mom, Nevvan Smith, has been by her side every step of the way, offering her unwavering love and support.
But Braelynn’s fight is not the only one that her family is facing. Nevvan’s 2-year-old son, Tylon, is also battling cancer—testicular cancer, to be exact. Tylon’s latest scans are coming up on November 20th, and Nevvan is praying for positive results. As if navigating these two battles wasn’t already overwhelming, Nevvan is also managing the day-to-day responsibilities of being a single mom to Braelynn, Tylon, and their youngest child. The weight of it all can feel insurmountable at times, but Nevvan continues to press forward, holding on to her faith and love for her children.
“I’m praying for positive results,” Nevvan shared with me, referring to Tylon’s upcoming scans. “It’s been a tough journey, but we keep going.” Nevvan’s words were filled with the kind of strength only a mother who has faced unimaginable challenges could possess. Yet even as she maintains this strong exterior, the burden of caring for two sick children is taking its toll. She recently shared her concern about Braelynn’s treatment, particularly the fact that Braelynn has started to lose her hair due to the chemotherapy. “This latest treatment has resulted in Braelynn losing her hair,” Nevvan said softly. It was a moment of vulnerability in a journey that has already required so much emotional and physical strength. As she took a deep breath, I could feel the weight of her worries, but I also saw a mother who would do anything to protect her children.
Nevvan and Braelynn have a doctor’s appointment coming up next Tuesday, and they are hoping for results that won’t require another hospital stay. “We’re praying the results don’t require Braelynn to be hospitalized,” Nevvan told me. While Braelynn has remained positive through much of her treatment, the uncertainty of what comes next is always looming. But with her mom by her side, Braelynn continues to push forward, never losing her spark despite the challenges she faces.
In the midst of all the hardship, Braelynn’s bright personality continues to shine. She is the same girl who loves her favorite princesses, colors everything in pink, and dreams of one day being healthy again. While she may be fighting the toughest battle of her young life, Braelynn still has that sweet, infectious smile that lights up any room she enters. Her strength is nothing short of remarkable, and it serves as a reminder to all of us that no matter how tough life gets, there is always a reason to keep fighting, to keep believing, and to keep moving forward.
As Braelynn’s intensification treatment nears its end next month, she will enter the maintenance phase of her therapy, which will bring a bit more stability and allow her to focus on recovery. However, her journey is far from over, and the road to complete recovery will be a long one. But with the love and support of her family, Braelynn is on her way to healing, and her story continues to inspire everyone who hears it.
Please join me in sending your best wishes to Braelynn, her mom Nevvan, and their entire family as they continue to fight these battles together. Your words of encouragement, prayers, and support mean the world to them. Together, we can show Braelynn that she is not alone in her fight—that she has an entire community behind her, cheering her on every step of the way.
As we hold Braelynn and her family in our hearts, let’s remember the power of community, hope, and love. Even on the toughest days, we can make a difference just by offering a kind word or prayer. Braelynn is a true inspiration, and her fight is a reminder of the strength we all have inside us when faced with life’s greatest challenges.
Myles McDaniel: A Young Boy’s Resilience and Love for Life Against All Odds 887
Two years ago, a moment of joy came into the McDaniel family’s life that would forever change their perspective on resilience and hope. It was a seemingly ordinary moment—2-year-old Myles McDaniel, just 6 months old at the time, was sitting with his family, watching TV when the familiar theme music of
Family Feud filled the room. Myles, with wide eyes and an inquisitive gaze, turned his head toward the screen, captivated by the voice and presence of Steve Harvey, the iconic host of the show.
“Myles absolutely loves Steve Harvey,” his mother, Hannah McDaniel, shared with me, recalling that pivotal moment. “Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I just look at Myles,” Hannah continued, her voice cracking with emotion. Even in the midst of unimaginable challenges, it’s Myles’ courage, optimism, and love for life that continuously uplift those around him. At just 2 years and 8 months old, Myles has shown a resilience that many adults could learn from.
However, it wasn’t always a smooth journey for Myles and his parents. In September 2022, just months before Myles was born, the McDaniels received a diagnosis that no parent is ever prepared to hear. At the time, Hannah was three months away from giving birth when doctors informed her and Chris that their son had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a severe and rare congenital heart defect. In HLHS, the left side of the heart doesn’t develop properly, preventing it from functioning as it should. “We were devastated,” Hannah recalled. “We had tried for years to have a child, and when we heard about Myles’ condition, it was difficult.” The news was a blow to the couple’s dreams of parenthood, as they realized the uphill battle their son would face.
Despite the heartbreaking diagnosis, Myles has defied the odds from the very beginning. Just four days after birth, Myles underwent his first open heart surgery. When he was just four and a half months old, another surgery followed. These surgeries were life-saving, but the McDaniels knew that the road ahead would still be filled with uncertainty. A third open heart surgery looms in the future, one that will be crucial for Myles’ survival. “If Myles doesn’t have a third surgery soon, he could die,” Hannah shared, her voice filled with both concern and determination.
But amidst these grave challenges, Myles has blossomed into a joy-filled, adventurous spirit. Despite having level 2 Autism and being non-verbal, Myles is one of the happiest children you could meet. “Myles is an adrenaline baby—he loves water slides, the outdoors, and of course, he loves Steve Harvey,” Hannah said with a smile. Myles, even with the limitations his condition brings, manages to fill his days with wonder, enjoying simple pleasures like watching his favorite TV host. “Myles will yell, ‘Bee-Bah-Bee’ when he sees Mr. Harvey,” Hannah chuckled, referring to how her son tries to say “Steve Harvey” in his own way.
There’s something magical about Myles’ ability to find joy in the smallest things. While he struggles with eating and swallowing, and his oxygen levels are often at just 75 percent, his infectious spirit refuses to be held back. “Myles has issues with eating and swallowing,” said Hannah, “but he still finds joy in the things he loves.”
Every day is a day that counts for the McDaniels. “We live day-to-day,” Hannah admitted. The uncertainty of Myles’ health means they cannot predict the future, but they have learned to take each day as it comes, cherishing the moments of joy and the little victories that make up Myles’ life. “Most children with HLHS later develop liver and heart issues,” Hannah added. But she remains hopeful, holding onto the belief that each day is a gift.
