Seven-year-old Merritt loves math, clothes, and playing with the animals in her backyard – something she couldn't do just a few years ago.

When she was just shy of 18 months old, Merritt’s family was rocked by a shocking diagnosis. Suddenly, the toddler was the center of medical research.

“Merritt was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, that was attached to her vaginal wall,” said her dad, Aaron.

“Her cancer is very rare,” said her mom, Kayla. “Her radiation treatment, it was actually only the second time that type of radiation was done in the United States. Only the first time here in North Carolina.”

Merritt endured a year and a half of chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries. Like many people battling cancer, she often depended on blood and platelet donors to be able to withstand those harsh treatments and multiple surgeries. That meant blood transfusions – and blood donors – helped save her life.

“The first time she received a transfusion was actually to get her numbers back up so that she could stay on her chemo schedule,” Aaron said. “The second time was to keep her on her chemo schedule so her little brother, Eli, could be born, so that she could be healthy for that.”

With each blood transfusion, Merritt seemed to spring back to life.

 “After she received that, you could tell she went from kind of a mopey little toddler, all the way back up,” Kayla said. “And we watched those numbers climb, and we were ready for chemo again.”

In those moments, Kayla and Aaron realized the true impact of blood donors who take the time to give. Eventually, with the help of doctors, nurses, her family, and blood donors, Merritt beat cancer.

“She was able to ring the bell signifying the end of her treatment on August 17, 2020,” Aaron said. “The blood products that she received definitely helped save her life.”

The family is forever grateful for the role blood donors played in Merritt’s journey, and they jumped at the chance to pay it forward to the next patient in need.

“Donating blood is something that I had never done until the Little Heroes blood drives started back in 2021,” Aaron said. “They contacted us and asked if we would host one in honor of Merritt, and I thought to myself, ‘How can we host a blood drive if I don't donate myself?’”

Now, Merritt is at every blood drive the family hosts, serving as an inspiring reminder of the lifesaving impact donors can make.

“The blood donors have made this happen,” Kayla said. “They brought Merritt to where she is today. We saw the outcome of what those donors can provide. And it's just been a rally ever since.”