Maranda Wilborn
Belleville, IL — Maranda Wilborn, a brave, young girl who at the age of 5 was diagnosed with a rare and usually fatal form of cancer as well as leukemia, has finally beaten both illnesses. Now 8-years old, Maranda enjoys her first year at school as a 2nd grade student.
Unlike most children her age, Maranda missed kindergarten and first grade because of her chemotherapy treatments at the hospital. She was initially diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and often deadly form of cancer, when she was 5 years old. She was almost done with the treatment and cleared of cancer when she was diagnosed with leukemia.
Despite that, the Wilborn family focused on the positive side and remained thankful to anonymous donors who assisted them financially.
Her mother, Myiesha Wilborn, remembered a mechanic who fixed their vehicle for free. She said he told her, “This is my responsibility. You take care of her.”
Her father, Randy Wilborn, was also overwhelmed for the prayers from people who they don’t even know. He added, “At the time, we fell into deep financial problems.” But he said that financial contributions “took a lot off us” and allowed the family to visit with Maranda during her longer hospital stays.
What they’re most grateful about was learning that Maranda’s younger sister, Myriah, was a viable bone marrow donor. Myriah, who was just 5 years old at that time, was excited to be with her sister.
After the treatment, Maranda had some issue with her balance due to trauma. But she eventually recovered completely and even “take off and run around all day,” her father said.
“She’s really blossoming,” her teacher Watts said. She also said that Maranda is making new friends and is improving academically.
Moreover, Maranda’s hair, which is usually covered with a fashionable scarf, is now slowly growing back and it makes her mother happy to see it.
“If you ask me, it’s real pretty,” Myiesha said. “This time, it’s much much prettier and soft and really curly.”
With such positive outlook as well as the support from her family and other people around her, Maranda seems to be so much ready to take on any challenge, may it be in school or in life in general.
Watch the interview with her Dad below: