It was a day just like any other as mom Stephanie Lubas took her daughter to the doctor’s office for the abnormal pains she was feeling. Makaila was experiencing joint pain in both her legs and shoulders, at times refusing to walk because of the pain. Expecting a diagnosis of childhood arthritis, Mrs. Lubas was shocked when the doctor started to read 5-year-old Makaila’s labs. As a pediatric nurse, she knew immediately the tests had revealed her daughter had leukemia.
Upon learning of her daughter’s diagnosis, chronic myeloid leukemia, Mrs. Lubas had no choice but to pull her daughter from school in an effort to keep her weakened immune system germ-free. When she called Crestview Elementary, her daughter’s school, she spoke to Principal Ken Faulk to let him know of Makaila’s illness. After hearing, he graciously asked if the school could start a fundraiser in her honor. Mrs. Lubas agreed.
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