About Emily

Emily: A Spirit That Soared

Emily, our bright and bubbly girl, was born in New Jersey on February 10th, 2002. From the very beginning, she had this incredible smile that could melt your heart – except, of course, when she was wrestling with her two brothers! But even then, her playful spirit shone through. Emily was a girly girl through and through; she loved everything pink, couldn’t get enough of clothes and shoes, and as she got older, texting with her friends became her favorite pastime.

When she was just four years old, Emily discovered her passion: cheerleading. She tried out for the Central Jersey Allstars and, with her natural energy and a little help from one of the cheerleaders, she made the team! Her coach, Miss Patty Ann, was tough but she taught Emily so much more than just fancy moves. She instilled in her the dedication and spirit that make a true cheerleader.

A year later, our family moved to Indiana. It was a big change, but Emily’s love for cheerleading helped her settle in. She joined the Interactive Academy Allstars, where her new coach, Miss Barb, became her mentor. Miss Barb not only taught her the physical skills but also nurtured the emotional strength that would help Emily through incredibly tough times.

Over the next few years, Emily truly blossomed. She became an amazing cheerleader, known by her teammates as the “best jumper.” She even mastered back handsprings and became a fantastic backspotter, always focused on keeping her flyer safe. There were times when she got knocked in the face during a routine, but she’d just keep smiling and finish the performance before letting a single tear fall. That’s how tough she was.

Then, in January 2011, Emily started complaining about pain in her right leg. At first, we thought it was just another cheerleading injury. But it didn’t get better. One day at practice, Emily, who never complained, said she couldn’t continue because the pain was too much. That’s when we knew something was seriously wrong.

An X-ray revealed the heartbreaking truth: a tumor on her right femur. The diagnosis was Osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. Our world was shattered.

Emily began chemotherapy immediately and fought bravely for 16 long months. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor and part of her femur, but complications meant she would never walk again. Confined to a wheelchair, her spirit never wavered. With her team by her side, she even performed a cheer routine at a Relay For Life event. When asked about it, she said she was walking for her grandmother who had passed away from cancer. That was Emily – always thinking of others.

During her time at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Emily noticed that there weren’t any rooms designed for girls. She thought that wasn’t fair and kept pushing for a girl-themed room. Making over a room was expensive, but a year later, a family friend named Joel Markland generously donated money he had won in a contest to create a cheerleading-themed room in Emily’s honor. “Emily’s Cheerleading Room” was dedicated just a week before she passed away on May 11th, 2012.

Even while battling cancer, Emily was concerned about other kids in the hospital. She had received many gifts, including an iPad, but she really wanted something with a keyboard. After getting a netbook for her birthday, she decided other kids would love to have one too. That’s how “Cheers From Emily” was born – a program to provide netbooks to hospitalized children so they could connect with their families and have some fun.

Emily was the embodiment of a true cheerleader, always positive, resilient, and compassionate. Though her life was tragically cut short, her legacy continues to inspire us all.