Maranie Staab

Photographer + Journalist + Videographer

www.maranierae.com/

#kayleestrong

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School: Newhouse School, Syracuse University Coastal Carolina University

Throughout much of 2018 Kaylee ...shed to enter must first knock.

Throughout much of 2018 Kaylee Marshfield spent several days each week at the Upstate Cancer Center in Syracuse, New York receiving chemotherapy treatment. During one multi-day stay Kaylee emptied a small linen cupboard in her hospital room and reclaimed it as "her office", declaring that anyone who wished to enter must first knock.

Kaylee and her mother, Kristina...months before were inseparable.

Kaylee and her mother, Kristina, embrace at the end of a long day attending the New York State Fair as Abigail, Kaylee's younger sister, reaches out for attention. Abigail, age 5, does not fully understand why Kaylee is suddenly the recipient of gifts and extra attention; her confusion and jealousy has caused misplaced friction between sisters who just months before were inseparable.

Kaylee Marshfield, age six, and... was made on September 3, 2018.

Kaylee Marshfield, age six, and her sister Abigail (left) fall from the New York State Fair's "drop tower" ride on the last day of the 2018 fair. Every year the Marshfield family attends the week-long fair. In 2018 Kaylee was only able to attend three times as her level of strength fluctuated day-to-day as she fought the effects of both cancer and chemotherapy. This image was made on September 3, 2018.

Kaylee looks down at a bandaid ... once protruded from her chest.

Kaylee looks down at a bandaid marking the spot where a port used for chemotherapy treatment once protruded from her chest.

As much of the first grade clas...mp;quot;I feel alone."

As much of the first grade class at St. Rose of Lima Elementary School enjoys a carefree recess Kaylee Marshfield sits alone amidst her peers. In addition to navigating the physical ramifications of cancer and chemotherapy Kaylee must also endure the social and emotional effects. When showed this image the next dayl Kaylee responded simply, "I feel alone."

Todd and Kristina Marshfield ar...an already difficult situation.

Todd and Kristina Marshfield argue in their hotel room while Kaylee listens nearby. Shortly after Kaylee was diagnosed both Todd and Kristina lost their jobs; the financial strain added a layer of stress and tension to an already difficult situation.

Kaylee's mother, Kristi... on March 28, 2018 is visible.

Kaylee's mother, Kristina, helps Kaylee into pajamas during the family's annual vacation to Hershey Park and "Chocolate World" in Hershey, Pennsylvania. A scar from surgery that removed a Wilm's tumor from Kaylee's chest on March 28, 2018 is visible.

Kristina and Todd Marshfield re... for childhood cancer research.

Kristina and Todd Marshfield react after they receive a text message from Kaylee’s grandmother: Kaylee’s fever had spiked. When Kaylee felt well enough the entire Marshfield family attended the New York State Fair together, but when Kaylee needed rest she remained home with “Mema”, her grandmother, while Kristina and Todd spent 12 or more hours collecting cans to raise money for childhood cancer research.

Kaylee retrieves "Nigh...elle wore a baby shark costume.

Kaylee retrieves "Night-Night", a beloved security blanket, before leaving to trick-or-treat on the evening of October 31, 2018.

Kaylee dressed up as "Pinkie Pie", a character from My Little Pony, her sister Abigail dressed as a unicorn and her youngest sister Isabelle wore a baby shark costume.

A picture of Kaylee Marshfield,...hallway of the Marshfield home.

A picture of Kaylee Marshfield, 5, taken only months before being diagnosed with cancer, hangs in the hallway of the Marshfield home.

While receiving a chemotherapy ... of humor beyond her six years.

While receiving a chemotherapy treatment Kaylee explains to her parents the difference between the various types of “L.O.L dolls", a toy she and her sisters collect, and why it was necessary she also have the “pet” collection. Though young and battling cancer Kaylee has consistently demonstrated grace and a sense of humor beyond her six years.

It was rare for Kaylee to ackno... in the hospital another night.

It was rare for Kaylee to acknowledge being sick. Instead she chose not to talk about it and did her best to act as though everything was "normal." Having already spent several days in the Upstate Cancer Center receiving chemotherapy Kaylee reacted to the news she would remain in the hospital another night.

The three Marshfield sisters&am...seems to need, time to herself.

The three Marshfield sisters—Kaylee, Abigail and Isabelle— spend several days each week at their grandmother’s apartment in the Northside neighborhood of Syracuse, New York. While the girls often play together, Kaylee consistently asserts herself as independent and as a young child who often prefers, and seems to need, time to herself.

The Marshfield family hurries a...ark and nearby Chocolate World.

The Marshfield family hurries across a parking lot in Hershey, Pennsylvania after torrential rains forced the family to leave Hershey Park several hours early. Every year the Marshfield family spend a long Thanksgiving weekend together at the amusement park and nearby Chocolate World.

On the eve of her 7th birthday ...e was made on January 31, 2019.

On the eve of her 7th birthday the Marshfield's celebrated at the Surfside Family Fun Center, one of Kaylee's favorite places to play in Syracuse. The small gathering was together to recognize Kaylee turning 7 and to acknowledge that just one year ago to the day Kaylee was first diagnosed with cancer. This image was made on January 31, 2019.

Tension between Kaylee Marshfie...age was made on March 31, 2019.

Tension between Kaylee Marshfield and her younger sister Abigail flared up during an event to raise money for childhood cancer in downtown Syracuse, New York. This image was made on March 31, 2019.

A year has passed since I first...ge was made on August 26, 2019.

A year has passed since I first photographed Kaylee on the "Shooting Star" ride at the New York State Fair. At the time she was 30 pounds lighter, bald and in the midst of aggressive chemotherapy. In October 2018, nine months after initially being diagnosed with a Wilm's tumor, Kaylee's scans came back clear. She has since been in remission, is entering the second grade, beginning to gain weight and regrow her hair. In spite of improved health Kaylee remains a young girl often lost in her own thoughts, one moment a silly 7-year old and the next a stoic young lady. This image was made on August 26, 2019.

Kaylee and her mother, Kristina...e takes a Sunday afternoon nap.

Kaylee and her mother, Kristina, test out a new toy camera Kaylee received as a gift while Isabelle takes a Sunday afternoon nap.

Kaylee Marshfield prays the ros...y school in Syracuse, New York.

Kaylee Marshfield prays the rosary with the rest of her second grade class at St. Rose of Lima elementary school in Syracuse, New York.

Kaylee reacts to her mother&...age was made on March 30, 2019.

Kaylee reacts to her mother's request she come inside shortly after returning from an afternoon at a local park. Throughout her year of battling cancer Kaylee never lost touch with a personality best described as playful, smart, kind and full of adolescent attitude. This image was made on March 30, 2019.

The Marshfield family spent sev...e and started the second grade.

The Marshfield family spent several days and evenings at the 2019 New York State Fair. Attending the weeklong fair is an annual family tradition. Since the 2018 fair Kaylee has marked nearly 10 months cancer-free and started the second grade.

Kaylee Marshfield, age eight and two years cancer-free.

PLAY

STOP

GRID

FULL

LOVE

Thumbnail of Throughout much of 2018 Kaylee M_ished to enter must first knock.

Thumbnail of Kaylee and her mother, Kristina,_ months before were inseparable.

Thumbnail of Kaylee Marshfield, age six, and _e was made on September 3, 2018.

Thumbnail of Kaylee looks down at a bandaid m_t once protruded from her chest.

Thumbnail of As much of the first grade class_amp;quot;I feel alone."

Thumbnail of Todd and Kristina Marshfield arg_ an already difficult situation.

Thumbnail of Kaylee's mother, Kristin_t on March 28, 2018 is visible.

Thumbnail of Kristina and Todd Marshfield rea_y for childhood cancer research.

Thumbnail of Kaylee retrieves "Night_belle wore a baby shark costume.

Thumbnail of A picture of Kaylee Marshfield, _ hallway of the Marshfield home.

Thumbnail of While receiving a chemotherapy t_e of humor beyond her six years.

Thumbnail of It was rare for Kaylee to acknow_n in the hospital another night.

Thumbnail of The three Marshfield sisters&_ seems to need, time to herself.

Thumbnail of The Marshfield family hurries ac_park and nearby Chocolate World.

Thumbnail of On the eve of her 7th birthday t_ge was made on January 31, 2019.

Thumbnail of Tension between Kaylee Marshfiel_mage was made on March 31, 2019.

Thumbnail of A year has passed since I first _age was made on August 26, 2019.

Thumbnail of Kaylee and her mother, Kristina,_le takes a Sunday afternoon nap.

Thumbnail of Kaylee Marshfield prays the rosa_ry school in Syracuse, New York.

Thumbnail of Kaylee reacts to her mother&_mage was made on March 30, 2019.

Thumbnail of The Marshfield family spent seve_ee and started the second grade.

Thumbnail of Kaylee Marshfield, age eight and two years cancer-free.

Public Project

#kayleestrong

Copyright Maranie R. Staab 2024

Date of Work Aug 2018 - Ongoing

Updated Dec 2022

Location Syracuse, New York

Topics Cancer, Children, Documentary, Editorial, Education, Emotion, Essays, Family, Friends + Family, Health/Healing, Hope, Illness, Journalism, Joy, Motherhood, Multimedia, Parenting & Family, Personal Projects, Perspectives, Photography, Photojournalism, Reportage, Video, Youth

On the morning of her sixth birthday Kaylee Marshfield was diagnosed with cancer.

It was February 1, 2018 and the phone rang as Todd, Kristina and their three daughters sat down for breakfast. “I took her to the ER on January 31st and they called the next day. It was cancer.”

For nine months, with family by her side, Kaylee battled the disease as she underwent three separate surgeries, received multiple rounds of aggressive chemotherapy and spent more than 100 days a children's cancer ward.

When not in the hospital, the Marshfield's made every effort to provide Kaylee with some semblance of childhood. When her energy levels permitted, Kaylee joined her kindergarten class and as a family the Marshfield’s spent several days at the Great New York State Fair, traveled to Hershey Park and spared no expense with the girls’ favorite holiday–Halloween.

For her part, Kaylee oscillated between animated silliness and periods of quiet and distant introversion.

On October 22, 2018 Kaylee rang a large bell at the Upstate Cancer Center in Syracuse, New York; it was a celebration to mark her final round of chemotherapy. Less than two weeks later, on November 1, 2018, Kaylee was declared cancer-free.

What began more than four years ago as a young girl’s battle against childhood cancer has evolved into an intimate, ongoing story of a low-income Upstate New York family and a young girl as she navigates all the beauty and complexities of growing up.

This accompanies a short video also entitled, #kayleestrong.

Childhood Cancer Awareness:
- Each day in the United States approximately 47 children are diagnosed with cancer; the average age is 8
- Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in American children, killing approximately 1,800 kids each year.
- Childhood cancer research is notoriously underfunded when compared to all other forms of cancer and hovers just below four percent of the entire outlay by the National Cancer Institute
- Federal funding for research is largely based on incidence rates. This means that cancers that occur more often receive more funding.
- Critics suggest that one of the reasons childhood cancer doesn't get as much funding is becuase pharmaceutical companies won't receive as much money from the medications and that the government uses the rarity of childhood cancer to avoid funding it.

source: cancer.org

Maranie R. Staab / North America

Nov 14, 2021

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