Surprise Shopping Spree For Special Girl

A young girl who has faced more difficulties than many of us face in a lifetime had a special surprise yesterday.

Ms. Cadence Lindley, a 7-year-old, was treated to a surprise shopping spree at the Burlington Store on Old York Road in the Jenkintown section of Abington Township.  The shopping spree was “part of a nationwide initiative to bring smiles and confidence to childhood cancer survivors heading back to school,” according to Ms. Amanda King, Associate, Communications, of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which funds blood cancer research and lifesaving treatments.  The Society “has teamed up with Burlington Stores to offer these child survivors a shopping spree.”

“In March of 2018, Cadence’s parents, Ann and Doug noticed she wasn’t feeling well and thought that something was ‘off’,” explained Ms. King.  “After multiple doctor visits, including a visit to the ER, and finally having blood work done, Cadence was diagnosed with leukemia.”

“We’ve learned to appreciate life a lot more, and to not take things for granted because at any given moment anything can change,” said Mrs. Lindley.

“Though their world was turned upside down, they found strength in family and Cadence’s classmates [at Roslyn Elementary School] who held a special rally for her return,” stated Ms. King. 

“[Cadence loves]…fashion and playing with her friends, and can’t wait to be able to do normal activities again,” said Mrs. Lindley.  “But her fight with cancer has affected us in different ways, and has made us stronger, together.”

“In November 2018, Cadence finished her treatments,” explained Ms. King.  The treatments “included 2 bone marrow transplants. She hasn’t quite got the clear yet to go back to school, but she is very happy to be homeschooled by her teachers.”

“Cadence is a fighter and she inspires us every day,” says Mrs. Lindley. “She loves dressing up, so this special treat from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is perfect for her. We’re so thankful and just happy to see her smile.”

Cadence is seen with her grandmother, Mrs. Joan Linley, to the left, and her mother, Mrs. Ann Lindley, at the Burlington Store in the Jenkintown section of Abington Township.

“Burlington and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s 56 chapters nationwide have brought smiles to nearly 100 young blood cancer survivors by surprising them with a shopping experience at their local Burlington store,” stated Ms. Ellen Rubensin, Executive Director of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  This ensures “that they feel confident when heading back to school after treatment.  We are so thankful for our longstanding partnership with Burlington – together we are making a difference in the lives of those impacted by blood cancers.”

The photographs are provided courtesy of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2019.