From the summer of 2016 to the spring of 2017, one little girl made such a mark on the community of Bellwood-Antis that her name will not be forgotten for years to come.
Madison Shura was a second grade student at Myers Elementary School, and on May 25, 2016 she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor called DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Giloma) which the deadliest form of cancer known to children. Despite the odds, Maddie’s family, friends, and community quickly came to her side, hosting numerous fundraisers and other events to help with her medical costs and to show her just how special she was.
On April 14, 2017 Maddie passed away in the arms of her parents, Kelly and Jason, after her ten-and-a-half month long battle with the cancer at just 8 years old.
“She loved to cuddle, go fishing with her daddy, vacation in Canada, and play with her sister, cousins and friends,” stated Maddie’s page on the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation.
At Bellwood, Maddie was part of the Girl Scouts, cheered for the Bellwood Antis High School and East Antis Rams cheer teams, and even danced for the Dance Fusion Dance Company.
While Maddie had overwhelming support from her community, she was also helped by organizations and people from all over. She met the artist of her favorite song, “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten, and with the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation got a play castle constructed in her backyard.
Recently, Maddie’s family has reached out to the community yet again to foster support for the fight to end DIPG.
Maddie’s Fight Squad along with the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation sponsored an apparel fundraiser, selling “Maddie Shirts” in her memory to help raise money to find a cure for the cancer. Last year, the family sold butterfly bath bombs and bracelets during April.
The shirts were sold from the beginning of May and distributed on May 17, which is DIPG Awareness Day. The family hoped to see as many people as possible wearing their shirts or branding the colors gray and gold.
The community yet again responded with immense support, and many people made their way to the little league field concession stand to pick up their shirts last Friday. Instead of blue and gold, the community of Bellwood-Antis dawned the colors gray and gold to show awareness for DIPG and in memory of Maddie and other children taken too soon.
Even after eight years, the name Maddie Shura still holds a special place in the hearts of the community members of Bellwood-Antis.
