January 18 is a day forever etched in my heart. At my son’s basketball game, my sister said, “Mary Kate’s eye is drooping a little. Do you see that?” and in that moment, everything changed.

Mary Kate was born three weeks early. She was our fourth baby, our first girl, and she arrived perfectly healthy, bringing joy to our family of five.

Her smile lit up every room she entered. She was calm, tiny, and impossibly lovable, and we cherished every moment with our new little girl.

Back to that fateful January day, I took Mary Kate home thinking she just needed a nap. But when her eye continued to droop, concern quickly grew, and we rushed her to the Emergency Room.

The examination at the hospital was thorough, but the full picture wasn’t yet clear. Over the next month, numerous follow-ups and second opinions weighed on our hearts as we searched for answers.

Then one morning, her eye worsened dramatically. She could barely open it, and the misalignment was alarming enough to send her back to the ER for an MRI.

For a moment, we thought it might be a benign schwannoma. Relief flickered briefly, but the chief pediatric neurosurgeon wanted close monitoring, and my gut told me this was far from over.

The second MRI brought heartbreaking news. The radiologist’s words, “Tumor growth and spine involvement,” made my heart sink, and I could barely catch my breath.

Mary Kate was diagnosed with Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT), a rare and aggressive brain and spine condition. I held onto my faith, knowing God had a plan for her short yet meaningful life.

She began intensive treatment immediately. Mary Kate went through two rounds of chemotherapy locally and three high-dose chemotherapy treatments with stem cell transplants at UCSF, showing courage far beyond her age.

Every procedure was a challenge. Three brain surgeries, 86 chemotherapy infusions, 107 nights in the hospital, 25 sedations, and 50 blood transfusions later, she still smiled and laughed, showing incredible strength through every obstacle.

The pandemic made it even harder. Hospital restrictions meant our family was separated for long periods, but Mary Kate never felt alone thanks to her dedicated team of doctors and nurses.

Her oncologists, Dr. Reddy at UCSF and Dr. Sonali at Roseville, became pillars of support for our family. Their constant care ensured Mary Kate received outstanding treatment while we navigated fear, uncertainty, and isolation.

Despite all the challenges, Mary Kate reached beautiful milestones at home. Her first steps were a reminder that joy could still bloom amid relentless medical treatments.

Daily at-home care became a full-time job. Intrathecal chemotherapy through an Ommaya Reservoir and constant medication routines demanded vigilance, but Mary Kate faced each day with determination and grace.

Even with these measures, the condition continued to progress. MRI scans revealed leptomeningeal spread, and we worked tirelessly with her medical team to explore clinical trials and additional treatment options.

November 16 brought the hardest news. After a prolonged seizure and further progression of the condition, it became clear that our time with Mary Kate would be far shorter than we had hoped.

Mary Kate peacefully passed away on November 22, just four days before her second birthday. Our family was heartbroken, and the loss stayed with us through every day that followed.

We chose to honor her life, making every moment meaningful. Therapy sessions, medication routines, and grief counseling became lifelines as we learned to navigate life without our little girl.

Her legacy continues through MK’s Tiny Toys. What began as a hobby for my son evolved into a small business honoring Mary Kate, with 20% of proceeds supporting the Mary Kate Funk Foundation for families of children facing childhood cancer.

Though our hearts ache, we find comfort knowing Mary Kate is at peace. Her memory continues to inspire hope, love, and compassion.

We share her story to offer encouragement to other families facing pediatric cancer. It is a reminder that even in life’s most difficult moments, love and hope can still shine through.

Mary Kate taught us to value every heartbeat, every laugh, and every fleeting moment. Her strength reshaped our hearts and redefined what it means to live fully, even through life’s greatest challenges.

We encourage parents and families to seek support, lean on their community, and embrace faith while facing serious illness. Mary Kate’s journey is proof that love and resilience can carry us through even the darkest days.

Through the Mary Kate Funk Foundation, her memory provides financial and emotional support to families navigating pediatric cancer. Her life, though brief, continues to inspire hope for countless children and parents.

Though we miss her dearly, we feel her presence every day. We trust she continues to guide us as we live with purpose, joy, and compassion, carrying her spirit forward.