Meet Leeya: 2018 Family Advocacy Day Champion

Leeya is participating at 2018 Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day from June 26-27 in Washington, D.C. During the event, Leeya will share information about her health journey and the importance of children’s health care with members of Congress. Below is her story.

Seventeen-year-old Leeya is as strong and compassionate as she is beautiful. A fun, smart young lady, Leeya has endured multiple life-changing events since being diagnosed with a vascular anomaly that impacted her lymphatic system more than 18 months ago.

Leeya was hospitalized at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital for nearly a month, where she underwent four paracenteses to remove abdominal fluid due to complications from a biopsy performed at a different hospital. Through it all, she managed to keep up her grades in school and activities with River City BBG, a Jewish youth group.

Since being discharged from the hospital, Leeya has been in stable condition but has suffered chronic pain, leading the family to seek treatment at the Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Center for five weeks. Despite having to take time away for her health, Leeya got back to school as soon as possible and is doing well academically.

Beyond her academic success, Leeya is service-minded and gives back to her community. She was elected president of her youth group and now volunteers with the Le Bonheur Children's Hospital teen group. In a truly inspiring expression of gratitude to Le Bonheur, Leeya rallied her youth group to organize a fashion show that raised $1,200 for the hospital. Truly, there seems to be no limit to what Leeya can accomplish when she sets her mind to it. Her plans for the future include studying hospital administration in college and becoming a CEO at a children’s hospital. We know you can do it, Leeya!

Join us in welcoming Leeya to 2018 Family Advocacy Day!