Layla Dempsey's Story: Fighting Like a Kid

When Layla Dempsey sat down to create a drawing for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, she poured more than crayons and creativity into her artwork. Her picture offers a glimpse into the courage, determination, and hope that have defined her own cancer journey.

Layla, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, loves school, cheerleading, and spending time with friends. In the spring, what began as unexplained aches and pains led to a life-changing diagnosis: Stage IV high-risk neuroblastoma, a cancer that develops in nerve cells. 

Since then, Layla has faced months of intensive treatment at WVU Medicine Golisano Children's Hospital, including multiple rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, as well as a 14-hour surgery to remove a large abdominal tumor. Through it all, she has continued to meet every challenge with remarkable resilience. 

"We are very happy with WVU Medicine. We have loved every step of the way and how quick they were with everything," said her mother, Jessica VanFleet. "Right after she was diagnosed, they got her port placed and started treatment almost immediately. Everyone has been wonderful." 

Because Layla lives in Berkeley County, she is able to receive lab work and transfusion support closer to home through expanded pediatric infusion services at the WVU Cancer Institute on Berkeley Medical Center's campus, reducing the need for frequent trips to Morgantown. Jessica said the team's compassion has helped make a difficult journey a little easier, especially through Layla's special bond with nurse Melissa, whom she affectionately calls her "bestie." 

"Layla inspires all of us with her strength, positivity, and determination," said Melissa Greenberg, RN. "It is such a privilege to be part of her journey. I'm proud to wear the shirt she designed for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, not just throughout September, but all year long. It represents Layla's fighting spirit and serves as a reminder of the incredible courage children with cancer show every day." 

The artwork and shirt design were inspired by a simple but powerful message: Fight Like a Kid. For Layla, those words are more than a slogan. They reflect the strength she brings to every treatment, every hospital stays, and every obstacle along the way. 

"She's killing it. She really is," Jessica said. "I tell her all the time that if I were in her shoes, I would have tapped out already. But she is unstoppable. She does not let it stop her in any way. If she is fighting like that, then I can almost guarantee all the other kids are too.”  

Learn more about how you can support cancer patients in our community: Our Commitment to Community | Berkeley Medical Center