Two Bay area residents who have fought and beat a rare form of cancer are using their stories of survival and love for the Tampa Bay Lightning to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
- MaKayla Muir and Lauren Schille both had a rare form of cancer
- The pair bonded after meeting during their treatment
- Their love for the Lightning led to the team and players giving back
- If you’d like to help or learn more: Cut for a Cure | Lauren and MaKayla | Lauren Schille
MaKayla Muir, 18 and 8-year-old Lauren Schille met after discovering they both were battling a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma.
"Lauren and I are about 1 in a million for both of us to meet and battle the same type of cancer," Muir said. "It's a very rare and aggressive form of cancer and the survival rate is very slim if you're in the higher stages."
Schille had a rough timedealing with the disease as well.
"I couldn't walk," Schille said. "I had to use a walker and I couldn't really see well."
The two battled and beat the disease but really connected over their love for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Instead of dwelling on their diseases, they focused on having fun. They go to hockey games together and have met the players on multiple occasions.
"They're nice, I like how they help us and they're just really good players," Schille said.
Lauren and MaKayla have watched the team show their support for Pediatric Cancer Research and have been inspired them to do the same.
"The way that they want to bring awareness to the such little funding that pediatric cancer receives and the team participating in shaving their heads also inspires me to want to shave my head," Muir said.
The two have teamed up and will shave their heads together in hopes to spread awareness about the long-term side effects of chemo and radiation.
They want to help the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation find alternative treatments while sharing their stories of survival.
They plan on shaving their heads sometime after the Stanley Cup series.