Sadie Keller Receives the Good Kid Award for Her Work Supporting Children with Cancer.
by Karyn Brodsky
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is harrowing for anyone; for parents of a child facing such a situation, the emotional toll is unimaginable. Consider, too, the thoughts and feelings experienced by the young patient themselves…
Sadie Keller is all too familiar with that reality. The Lantana native, who is set to enter fifth grade at Blanton Elementary School, was only seven years old when she learned on February 25, 2015, that she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Despite having a positive prognosis, Sadie endured a month-long hospital stay, an extensive series of doctor’s appointments, and 2½ years of chemotherapy.
Her mother, Sarah, recounts the surprise the family felt when Sadie took the initiative to create educational videos for other children facing cancer just two months after her own diagnosis. “One day, she secretly went into my closet and made a 17-minute video that explained what to expect and offered comfort,” Sarah recalls. “We were astonished at how much she absorbed during her time at the doctor’s office.”
What drives a young child to take such profound action? Sadie explains, “I remembered how scared I was when I was diagnosed, and I wanted to help other kids and their parents feel prepared.” The Child Life Specialist at the Dallas Children’s Medical Center, the very place where Sadie received her treatment, now shares her videos with newly diagnosed patients.
But Sadie’s efforts don’t stop there. She also began collecting toys to distribute to children spending Christmas in hospitals. “I wondered if Santa visited the hospital since it seemed unimaginable to be there during the holidays,” she shared. After creating a social media campaign, the response was overwhelming. “In 2015, I gathered 1,300 toys, followed by 4,600 in 2016, and this year I’m aiming for 10,000,” Sadie states. “We distribute them to kids at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, and I hope to include the oncology floor at Medical City this year.”
This initiative led to the establishment of The Sadie Keller Foundation, and her latest project, Milestone Gifts, focuses on providing gifts to children with cancer hitting significant milestones, such as completing treatment or attaining remission.
Despite her own challenges, this remarkable young girl has a powerful voice. In 2015, she was invited to speak at the Golden Toast launch for the Childhood Cancer Caucus in Washington, D.C. The following year, Sadie took part in lobbying efforts with Representative Michael McCaul, advocating for increased federal funding for childhood cancer research and urging Congress to back the RACE for Children Act. She is an advocate for various organizations, including The Truth 365 and CureFest for childhood cancer. Recently, she participated in the Children’s Cancer Fund Gala as both a model and artist, helping raise over $1 million for pediatric oncology research and treatment initiatives at the Dallas Children’s Medical Center.
Behind Sadie’s inspiring work are her loving parents, Sarah and Shawn, along with her 12-year-old brother, Grant. “He respects and supports his sister, often stepping back to let her shine,” Sarah reflects. “He’s incredibly proud of her and is a wonderful brother.”
Having recently celebrated her own “no-more chemo” party, Sadie shows no signs of slowing down. Unlike many survivors who seek a return to a carefree childhood, Sadie is heading back to Washington, D.C. “I know that I can make a difference. I want to continue this work for life,” she states. “I aim to improve outcomes for other children diagnosed with cancer.”
For her remarkable compassion and dedication in assisting fellow children with cancer, guiding them through their journeys, collecting toys to bring joy, and advocating on their behalf in Washington, all while undergoing her own treatment, we proudly present Sadie Keller with our Good Kid Award along with a donation to her foundation.
