Addison “Addy” Tomberlin was born on November 14, 2012, and from the very beginning, she filled every room she entered with light. She was a healthy, happy little girl with a beautiful soul, completely adored by her family and everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Her world changed on May 29, 2016, when Addy was just 3½ years old. She was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, but not the most common and treatable type. The overall survival rate for childhood ALL is approximately 90%. But testing revealed that her leukemia was Philadelphia chromosome positive. This rare and aggressive variant required an intense, prolonged treatment plan and carried a much worse prognosis.
Addy started more than two years of relentless chemotherapy and spent more than 250 days in the hospital. Her tiny body endured more than any child ever should. Yet even in the hardest moments, Addy smiled through exhaustion, laughed through pain, and taught everyone around her what true strength looks like.
Eleven months after completing treatment, Addy relapsed. The toll of years of chemotherapy had left her body fragile, and within weeks, she was in the ICU with heart failure. But hope arrived just in time. A groundbreaking clinical study had opened for children with her type of leukemia: CAR-T cell therapy. It worked. For four beautiful years, Addy lived her absolute best life. She was happy, healthy, and cancer-free.
But on August 26, 2023, her cancer returned. True to form, Addy faced it with the same courage, love, and joy that had always defined her. This time, there was no clinical trial for her, and she passed away less than a month later.
Addy’s time here was far too brief, but her impact is immeasurable. In her honor, her family established Addy’s Army Fund at CURE. The fund advances childhood cancer research with a focus on innovative treatments – like precision medicine and immunotherapies that are more effective and less damaging to growing bodies. It also supports quality-of-life programs for children in treatment, resources for siblings silently affected by a loved one’s diagnosis, and bereavement support for grieving families.
There is no doubt that Addy’s life and light changed lives. Now, her Army carries her mission into battle for other families faced with the same fight.
