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.
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Maddie and her family attending her prom. (Manning Photography )June 26, 2016A month after Maddie's diagnosis, her friends and family held a prom for her at the Bavarian Hall in Altoona, PA. The hall reached maximum capacity, hosting 518 people dressed up in suits and gowns.
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The community got together at the pool for a splash hop in honor of Maddie. (Maddie’s Fight Squad)August 3, 2016A Wiffleball Tournament was held the day the Bellwood-Antis Community Pool had planned a Splash Hop for Maddie, but due to bad weather, the splash hop was pushed a few days forward.
On the new date, the community showed up in their swim trunks and bathing suits to support Maddie and give her a fun-filled night.
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Maddie got to be a cheerleader at a home football game. (Maddie’s Fight Squad)September 16, 2016Maddie had the homecoming football game held in her honor, where she was recognized during half time and got to hang out with the cheerleaders.
In the end, she was crowned homecoming queen along with her sister Libby.
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Mrs. R Miller and students welcomed back Maddie by wearing her very own T-Shirt. (Sidney Patterson)September 8, 2016On her first day of second grade in September of 2016, teachers welcomed Maddie back by wearing "Maddie T-Shirts".
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Barnes & Noble sponsored a fundraiser for Maddie. (Beau Potter)September 26, 2016A book fair was hosted at Barnes & Nobles sponsored by the Bellwood-Antis band, where both the middle and high school band, cheerleaders, and solo signers performed.
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Mr. Pete Harry of BAMS made a music video for Maddie. (Kate Wallace)November 23, 2016BAMS teacher Mr. Pete Harry made a music video for Maddie on his YouTube channel "Harry's Kindergarten Music".
Mr. Harry's channel has thousands of followers around the country, and his music is shown to the elementary school students in Bellwood-Antis as well.
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All the proceeds from “The Adventure of Pistachio Mustachio” created by Daniel Bryson were donated to Maddie’s family. (Amazon cover photo)January 2017Local author Daniel Bryson raised $7000 by selling his children's books.
Bryson was invited to the book fair for Maddie where he held a signing for the book.
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These girls got ready to play softball in honor of Maddie and the fight to end DIPG cancer. (Bellwood Antis Youth Softball)August 20-21, 2017The first annual Swing for a Cure softball tournament was held in Maddie's honor at the Bellwood-Antis High School softball field.
The tournaments are still being held to this day.
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.
