Kayla Mary Millette. Silly, fast on her feet, full of life, a great sharer, loves to help others. She started with a fever after the last day of preschool in June, 2011. Things were never the same again. On June 29th, after numerous tests, Kayla being lethargic in bed without her bounce and smile, was diagnosed with HLH, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Within hours, she was started on chemothe
rapy to stabilize this fast moving disease impacting her little immune system. Four years old and fighting for her life. Progress was being made with suppressing this disease but chemo would need to continue for 6 months. Her smile and zest for life was slowly coming back. Half way through the treatment regimen, she had the strength to start soccer. What a time it was! To be playing and running with her friends again. And then, more bad news. There was a genetic link to this and her only hope for survival was to have a bone marrow transplant. It didn't stop her from playing instructional basketball before being hospitalized again. In January, 2012, Kayla was admitted to Children's Hospital Boston to undergo conditioning treatment (more chemotherapy) and transplant. Unfortunately she had some complications and was sent home to rest. She needed to go through it all over again but with more intense chemotherapy. In April she returned after an 18 day break wearing her WonderWoman shirt ready to finish up the job. Her new immune system provided by her twin sister (again) engrafted! But the toll of all the toxins used to kill her immune system did not fair her well. She fought through so much but her 5 year old body couldn't do it anymore. Kayla received her angel wings on June 12, 2012. No more pain in a body that was used up. The pain now is with those who miss her every single minute of every day. Kayla taught so many people. She taught us how to push through things when it didn't seem possible. She had many of us remember what it was like to "just be silly". She taught us to never take a day or moment for granted. She knew how to be a good person. She became very spiritual and reminded mommy and daddy and so many others how to pray. She touched not just the people who knew her but the people who knew of her. Our mission is to assist families with children in medical crisis with life threatening illnesses. Through establishing our hospital outreach program and receiving referrals, we provide assistance to families with care packages and distractions for frequent hospitalizations or clinic visits. We also make deliveries of toys, books and craft supplies to supplement the Child Life Department. Our other goal is to help create and support a special parks project with Oxford's Recreational Commission for others to enjoy and share smiles and make memories together. Kayla spread sunshine wherever she went and that is our goal to bring to our community. In July of 2016, a splash pad was opened in Kayla's hometown. Funds raised by Kisses 4 Kayla and officially the Kayla Millette Memorial Foundation supplimented the project. An area that was otherwise being pulled from the project due to going over budget was added back into the plan and design. This area is crucial for children that may have limited mobility and endurance and is now a reality due to the thoughtful supporters of their fundraising events. More will be added to the project for the 2nd season like park benches.
