When a young child falls ill, the world can feel like it’s spinning out of control. For Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree, this reality hit hard when her three-year-old daughter, Cecilia, began showing alarming signs of illness. Over several weeks, Cecilia grew increasingly weak and pale, leading to a life-altering diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The day of the diagnosis, January 6, 1999, left an indelible mark on Laura’s heart. What followed was a journey filled with uncertainty and fear, but also resilience and hope.

As Laura and her husband Arne navigated their daughter’s treatment, they discovered that there were no clear guidelines for parents facing such challenges. They soon realized that while medical professionals focused on treating the disease, families needed practical support to manage the emotional and logistical hurdles. This realization inspired Laura to compile her experiences and insights into a comprehensive guide, The Cancer Parent’s Handbook. The book aims to provide parents with actionable advice on advocating for their children, maintaining mental health, and finding strength in community support. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on what can be controlled during uncertain times, offering strategies to help families thrive despite adversity.

Laura collaborated with experts at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, including Dr. Gary Dahl and Dr. Stephanie Smith, who played pivotal roles in Cecilia’s recovery. Together, they ensured that the handbook would offer both medical knowledge and personal wisdom. Today, Cecilia is not only a survivor but also a thriving behavioral scientist, embodying the hope and resilience that Laura’s work seeks to inspire. By sharing her story and the lessons learned along the way, Laura hopes to empower other families to face their own battles with confidence and grace.