Hope on the Farm: Family honors 6-month-old daughter’s life after passing from rare cancer

Featured by KWQC- News Channel 6 (www.kwqc.com)

PORT BYRON, Ill. (KWQC) - Just a couple of months ago, a Port Byron family was devastated. The Declercq family had to say goodbye to their six-month-old daughter after a rare cancer diagnosis.

But the family is now turning tragedy into hope.

Despite one of the most painful heartbreaks imaginable, the family is finding a new mission through the Millie Moo Foundation to make a difference and keep their daughter’s spirit alive.

“Millie Moo, Moo bud, we called her that a lot,” said Wesley Declercq, Millie’s father. “When we went out to check the pastures you could just see her face light up.

Even at night when you’d talk to her in bed, you could just see her smiling. You knew she was going to be a big part of the operation some day."

“A happy girl, always happy,” said Gabriella Declercq, Millie’s mother. “Always happy. She’s got two big sisters at home and she was just a happy girl.. and then just..”

It was early September when the unthinkable became a reality for the Declercq family. Millie was diagnosed with a Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor which doctors say only happens about 25 times a year in the U.S.

“In a matter of days, we were in Iowa City and then... oh, it would of been 17 days after we were there was when...uh... the unimaginable happened,” said Wesley Declercq.

The cancer spread from Millie’s liver to her left lung and several days later, despite Millie’s courageous efforts, she lost her battle and passed away.

“Just one of those things you hear stories about, and you never think it’s going to happen to you,” said Wesley Declercq. “Something we don’t wish anyone has to go through, but it’s something we had to deal with...made us stronger as a family and we know she’s in a better place now.”

But the care Millie received at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is what her parents say inspired them to make a difference.

“She was loved on that floor by all,” said Wesley Declercq. “And so that’s another reason why we wanted to start this foundation, to give back to other families that are going through what we went through and just try to bring some joy and happiness to them, knowing they’re not alone going through this fight of children’s cancer.”

That’s how the Millie Moo Foundation was born and just days after, there were hundreds of people ready to support them at their first event.

“Millie lost her battle to cancer on September 22,” said Laura Carey, President of the Millie Moo Foundation and Millie’s aunt. “The walk was on the 28th, so it was just that much more meaningful and powerful I feel to see the community really show up for our family in such a hard time. You know, I’m getting choked up. I’m still blown away by it. But we were able to walk down Main Street in support of Millie and in memory of her, and from there the Millie Moo Foundation was born.”

“So, the movement, we seen how much support we had and we were like we could really make this thing work and turn it into something down the line, giving back,” said Wesley and Gabriella Declercq.

The foundation uses the money to help other families battling similar situations and the giving doesn’t stop there.

As the holidays are right around the corner, the family has an angel tree at Ram’s Riverhouse, 102 South Main Street, to carry Millie’s spirit forward.

“Especially to do it in Millie’s honor and Millie’s name, tied to the foundation and the movement, I think it just helps keep her legacy alive and make it even bigger by helping those families and those kids through the holiday season,” said Hunter Littrel, Vice President of the Millie Moo Foundation and Millie’s uncle. “You know, kind of a time that should bring us all together.”

Those with the foundation say since its start, they’ve been able to raise thousands of dollars to donate and support families confronting similar and devastating pediatric cancer diagnoses.

A mission they plan to continue as they honor Millie for years to come.

“Just a kind-hearted, and a sweet little girl that always smiled and was easy going and with this foundation that we’ve formed around her, the sky’s the limit as far as it keeps going,” said Wesley Declercq. “We’re just going to take it one day at a time and keep building on her legacy in this fight against children’s cancer which we want to make an impact on for future children.”

The giving tree at Ram’s Riverhouse has tags that each represent an opportunity to brighten a family’s day, Laura Carey said. Families who are facing unimaginable challenges of hospitalization during the holiday season through your kindness and generosity, we can continue to lift them up with comfort, care and hope this season.

To participate in the giving tree, choose an angel with a desired gift amount, shop on Amazon and ship to your home, then return the gifts to the red bin at Rams Riverhouse with the Millie Moo Foundation logo, unwrapped by Dec. 15, Laura Carey said.

Millie’s giving tree is being hosted with the University of Iowa Health Care Concierge Services through the Child Life Program. Gifts will be personally delivered to the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

In the new year, the family and the Millie Moo Foundation will give the gift of life with a blood drive on Jan. 3 at the Port Byron Village Hall in Millie’s honor.