Ornaments and Votives for

Early Registration Drawing 

Although we cannot see the beautiful ornaments and votives in person, the Friends for Life Guild would be so appreciative of your purchases online in support of Seattle Children's.   

A Smile You’ll Never Forget:

2021 Friends for Life Guild Ambassador Danica Touched Many Lives

Danica Jane Taylor was a happy, adventurous toddler when she was diagnosed with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT), an aggressive brain tumor that mainly affects children under 3. Danica endured six rounds of chemotherapy, three stem cell transplants, 25 surgeries, laser ablation and proton beam radiation therapy in her doctors’ attempts to stop the fast-growing tumor. Through countless ups and downs, including many medevacs and emergency helicopter flights to Seattle Children’s from her home in Alaska, Danica was known for her enduring strength, joyful presence and the love she shared with those around her.

Aggressive brain tumors like ATRT are some of the most stubborn of childhood cancers, with survival rates below 50%. All who knew her were devastated to learn that she died of her disease in March 2021. The Friends for Life Guild is proud to honor Danica as their 2021 guild ambassador. Ornaments and votives swirled with her favorite shade of pink are for sale beginning Oct. 1 through the guild’s website and at many guild events. Sales will benefit pediatric brain tumor cancer research at Seattle Children’s.

Patients Form Special Bond During Treatment

Former Seattle Children’s cancer patient Kaylee Rankin, 16, met Danica Taylor on chemo treatment days as the younger girl zoomed around the hospital hallway on her trike. Every time Danica pedaled past Kaylee’s room she’d call out, “Hi, Kaylee!” Kaylee found it impossible to ignore that contagious smile, and the two became fast friends despite a 10-year age difference. Kaylee was the Friends for Life Guild ambassador in 2019, and she directed the $25,000 she helped raise to ATRT research in honor of Danica and Dr. Erin Crotty, a Seattle Children’s brain tumor researcher she admires.

Kaylee nominated Danica as a Friends for Life Guild ambassador, and she is determined to beat her impressive 2019 ornament and votive sales record. As a tribute to her dear friend, Kaylee plans to visit as many guild events as possible to share her and Danica’s story and raise funds for childhood cancer research. (Kaylee was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma at 12; she was treated at Seattle Children’s and has been cancer-free for three years.)

 *Articles from Seattle Children's Guild News