4-Year-Old Beats Brain Cancer, Family Dog Becomes Therapist

When Waylon Wade rang the bell at Children's Wisconsin hospital on April 23, it marked the end of a battle no 4-year-old should have to fight.

Just over a year earlier, in February 2023, a CT scan revealed devastating news. Waylon, then 3 years old, had an aggressive cancerous tumor in the back of his brain.

Within days, surgeons performed two emergency brain surgeries to remove the ping-pong-ball-sized tumor. "We are one of the fortunate families who caught this devastating disease early," his mother Renee Wade said. "Waylon's tumor was about the size of a ping pong ball and had not wrapped around his brain stem, which allowed surgeons to completely remove it."

Recovery was brutal. Waylon struggled to walk, talk, eat, and smile as his family spent 21 days in the hospital managing critical sodium levels before they could finally go home.

But Waylon kept fighting. He completed 30 rounds of radiation at Northwestern Proton Center and multiple chemotherapy treatments. Through it all, Children's Wisconsin provided more than medical care—toy rooms, rewards after difficult procedures, and constant support made the unbearable slightly more bearable.

Now the Wade family is sharing their story during the Miracle Marathon on May 7-8, a 24-hour radiothon raising funds for Children's Wisconsin. "Awareness leads to funding, and funding drives research which saves lives," Renee said.

Sunny's Take

Here's where the story gets even more heartwarming. Shortly after Waylon finished radiation, Renee decided to give back in an unexpected way.

The family's dog Maple, who came into their lives as a foster around the time of Waylon's diagnosis, showed a special gift for bringing comfort during dark days. Renee trained Maple to become a certified therapy dog through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

Now Maple volunteers at Children's Wisconsin twice a month, bringing joy and normalcy to families walking the same painful path the Wades traveled. "Being able to bring comfort, joy and a sense of normalcy to families going through such difficult times means everything to us," Renee said. "It's our way of giving back and sharing hope with others walking a similar path."

About 50% of children treated at Children's Wisconsin rely on some form of Medicaid, and the hospital turns no family away based on ability to pay. Donations from events like the Miracle Marathon ensure every child receives the best care possible, regardless of their family's financial situation.

Waylon is cancer-free today, living proof that early detection, cutting-edge treatment, and unwavering support can triumph over even the most aggressive childhood cancers.