Meet Emalee Engleman
Emmy was a 7 year old who loved her life. She enjoyed going to school and often said she had the best day. All of her teachers described her as a “friend to all". She was always happy and giggling, so her teachers nicknamed her “Giggles". Emmy was an old soul. She was kind, silly, thoughtful, creative, incredibly sentimental, and smart; her presence always made everything fun and better. She loved her family and friends intensely and was the best big sister to her little sister, Alexis. She could find something special in everything. She loved the color pink, pretty dresses, cozy socks, fuzzy robes and eye masks, hamsters, axolotls, and Hello Kitty. She collected tiny treasures and stuffed animals (mostly Beanie Babies, Squishmallows, and Build-A-Bears from our Great Wolf Lodge family vacations). She really enjoyed playing Animal Crossing (she promptly learned to read so she could play this game), riding her bike, swimming, dancing, arcades, trampoline parks, vacationing at waterparks, and shopping at Claire’s, 5 Below, and Target. She loved to draw hearts with smiley faces in them. She loved chocolate chip pancakes. After school she liked picking out a "treat of the day", which was something yummy from her bag of candy treats. Some of her favorite TV shows were Bluey, Karate Sheep, Smurfs, Oggy, Peppa Pig, Grizzy and the Lemmings, and Larva. She loved Disney princess movies, the Harry Potter series, and many fantasy and Sci-fi movies.
On June 8, 2025, shortly before the end of 1st grade we noticed one of Emmy's eyes blinking differently than the other. On the 9th she had a headache. After two back to back pediatrician visits on the 9th and 10th she was hospitalized for imaging and diagnosed with a brainstem tumor. Our world immediately shattered. We had never heard of Diffuse Midline Glioma and had no idea that a pediatric cancer existed that was terminal upon diagnosis. Emmalee's tumor was biopsied, she was treated with steroids, and she was sent home 5 days later. While recovering she insisted on attending one of the last half days of school to see her friends and teachers. Radiation therapy started soon after, which is the standard treatment. We went to the hospital 5 days a week for this treatment over a 6 week period. She felt mostly good during this treatment aside from a couple of minor symptom flare-ups that steroids resolved. After finishing radiation therapy, we were able to do some amazing fun things from her wish list and made some treasured memories. We had to wait 4 weeks post radiation therapy for follow up imaging before being eligible for a clinical trial. Emmy excitedly started 2nd grade in early September. By mid September she was accepted into a clinical trial. While undergoing entry tests for the clinical trial, Emmy hosted a lemonade stand on September 27th and raised $15,000 for DIPG/DMG research! Even during her own personal battle she wanted to help other kids. This was the kind of person Emmy was. She was in good spirits and such a brave trooper through the many hospital appointments. Emmy started the trial medication by mid October. The mutations in her tumor were very aggressive and by early November she had a set back that resulted in an overnight hospitalization. It was unclear whether it was tumor progression or inflammation. She seemed to improve over a two week period but around Thanksgiving later that month, the symptoms returned. Emmy was admitted to the hospital December 6th and laid down her warrior sword 4 days later after a courageous 6 month fight.
Emmalee dreamed of being a Scientist or a Teacher. She had plans. Emmalee should still be here. She should be here with her family, playing with her sister and her friends. She deserved to live her life and her life mattered. She was a very special little girl, her light and love continue to inspire.
We are grateful for foundations like NoahBRAVE that fund DIPG/DMG research and support families fighting for their children's lives. We are hopeful for a day when better treatments exist and this diagnosis isn’t a death sentence. We need a cure. Please donate and help spread awareness.
