No family ever expects to hear that their 9-month-old baby has cancer. In the time that leads up to giving birth, Mom and Dad never foresee weeks and months spent in hospitals, waiting for test results.
Little Chloe Clemens of Woodbridge, CT, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was 9 months old. This is a type of cancer that attacks early-forming nerve cells, and usually is found in children 2 years old or younger.
Leigh and Willie Clemens first noticed a bruise near Chloe’s eye. They thought she’d just hit herself with a toy, but after a doctor’s visit for an ear infection, some blood work, and a trip to the hospital, doctors found cancer in her stomach, her head, and many of her internal organs.
Mom and Dad were completely taken aback and scared when they got this news. So many questions arose, and they had no idea what was going to be in the game plan for their daughter’s recovery.
The support the family has received from the community, specifically the fire departments, is overwhelming…
At first, the Clemenses weren't very open about what was happening to their family.
“We were just terrified and powering through all of the tests and treatments and trying to comfort our daughter," Leigh told LittleThings.
"People say take things one day at a time, but it's not one day at a time. It's one moment at a time. Sometimes a moment is half a second over and over again or it's a day or a few good days in a row.”
However: “Once we started with Chloe's treatment and understood that there was a plan and we started getting support it was easier to open up.”
Chloe’s grandfather, Mike Clemens, was part of the Orange, CT, fire department for over 25 years. His connection with the tri-county departments of Bethany, Woodbridge, and Orange was still strong. The fire chiefs in all three counties wanted to do something to show their support for Chloe and her family.
So, one fire truck from Bethany, one from Woodbridge, and one from Orange were all wrapped in purple, the color used to support folks with neuroblastoma, as well as a golden ribbon, the symbol to support children with all kinds of cancer.
It may seem like a symbolic gesture, but the whole operation got the attention of the entire community. The support for Chloe and her family poured in from all over the three towns and beyond.
Leigh then created a Facebook community to keep everyone updated, called Courage for Chloe, and is asking that any donations go to the Tommy Fund at Yale Smilow Cancer Hospital in Chloe's name.
In a time like this, emotional support is one of the most important things a family can receive.
“The support has absolutely helped with everything," Leigh says. "The outpour of community support is so uplifting and it helps to know people care and are rooting for Chloe and will do anything to help us through. Our community is showing us unconditional love — it is really special and amazing.”
It’s really incredible what a simple gesture from a few caring folks can do for a family, and for a community as a whole.
Thanks to these three purple fire trucks, the Tommy Fund is getting donations it wouldn’t have otherwise received, helping children and families who really need the help. Thanks to Bethany Fire Chief Bob McSherry, Woodbridge Fire Chief Sean Rowland, and Orange Fire Chief Charles Gagel for thinking to put this whole thing together.
As for little Chloe? She is doing much better, and the prognosis is looking very bright.
On August 15, Mom posted an update to Chloe’s community page. “Chloe's last MIBG scan shows significant improvement in many parts of her body," it reads. "The disease is gone or almost gone in most areas except for her liver and belly.
"This is great news, it means the chemo continues to work!… We are so happy that the medicine, prayers and support are all working. Thank you all!”
Again, if you would like to contribute, send any donations to the Tommy Fund at Yale Smilow Cancer Hospital in Chloe's name, and if you’re in Connecticut, keep an eye out for these three purple fire trucks!
What would we do without people like these firemen? The Clemenses needed support, and their community provided it with overwhelming enthusiasm. Remember to check out Courage for Chloe to get updates on her progress.
Please SHARE with your family and friends on Facebook to spread the word, as well!
