Fresh start to a new year for Maddie

A seven year old inspiration

Maddie+is+enjoying+life+in+second+grade.

Madi Otto

Maddie is enjoying life in second grade.

Maddie Shura was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in May 2016 at the age of seven. Over the past summer she visited the doctors many times and received many treatments to help shrink the tumor. But the last few months haven’t all been so bad. She recently had the chance to meet Rachel Platten and the Make-A-Wish Foundation built a play castle in her backyard. Many fundraisers have als been hosted for her including her own “Splash Hop” at the Bellwood Pool and a Whiffleball Tournament.

After her long summer of many adventures, Maddie was ready to return to school. She is a student in Mrs. Naylor’s second grade class. On September 8, her first day back, Bellwood-Antis School Distict teachers and students wore their “Maddie” t-shirts to welcome her. She was so excited to see her friends, and said, “It was a good day. School is great. I love school!” 

The B-A community is being very helpful and supportive to Maddie and her family by organizing a lot of fundraisers. The most recent one was selling gold ribbons for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. On Friday, September 16, Maddie and other children with cancer were recognized at halftime of the Bellwood football game.

We wish Maddie the very best school year ever!