Hello Reader,

It’s Fighter Friday, and today we want to introduce you to one of the newest little fighters we have the privilege of standing behind: Eminence “Emi”. 💛

On Monday, July 14, 2025, Mark and Katie’s world changed in an instant. Their beautiful, happy five-year-old daughter, Emi, was diagnosed with leukemia.

Emi is silly, vibrant, full of light, and has verbal communication and sensory challenges. What started as a typical summer day quickly became a frantic trip to a Children’s Hospital three hours from home. There was no time to process.
No time to breathe.
Just fear, movement, and a family suddenly entering a world they never expected.

On July 17th, Emi began the first of what is expected to be 2½ years of chemotherapy.

In a matter of days, she faced blood transfusions, sedation, spinal taps, bone marrow biopsies, and medications most adults couldn't even pronounce. And through it all, she has held tightly to the things that bring her comfort- her stuffed Mickey and Minnie, her tablet, and a few silly songs.

There is something incredibly beautiful about the way children can find little pieces of normalcy in the middle of something so extraordinary.

Emi is fighting with a quiet strength that humbles us.

And behind every fighter is a family fighting too.

Mark and Katie have stayed by Emi’s side every step of the way.

Their only priority is their daughter, but that commitment comes with enormous sacrifices.

Their days are now consumed with Emi’s treatments, medical appointments, coordinating care, advocating for their daughter, and simply being her mom and dad.

This is exactly why Brave Like McKenna exists.

We believe families should never have to wonder whether they are alone when childhood cancer turns their entire world upside down.

We can't sit through the long treatment days for them.

We can't make the diagnosis disappear.

But we can show up.

We can help carry a little of the weight.

We can remind families that their child's fight matters and that there is an entire community standing behind them.

So today, we are asking our Brave Like McKenna family to help us welcome Emi.

Emi, you are brave.
You are loved.
You are seen.
And you have a whole community cheering you on.

Keep holding onto Mickey and Minnie.
Keep singing your silly songs.
Keep finding those little moments of joy.
And keep fighting, sweet girl.

We’re right here with you. 💛

✨If you'd like to support Emi and follow her journey, you can connect with her at the Embracing Emi Headquarters, Instagram or Facebook page.​