Scarlett LaCount loves dancing, Mexican food, Chicago’s Pizza, Frozen, and Paw Patrol. She has a smile that lights up a room and a fighting spirit that just won’t quit. She loves her family and has a bond with her baby sister so special it’s hard to put into words. Everyone who knows this spirited four-year-old from Cornelia loves her. Many who don’t personally know her, know her journey.
Doctors diagnosed Scarlett in July of 2019 with stage 5 Wilms’ Tumor cancer, cancer with a relatively high survival rate. However, Scarlett’s cancer has continued to spread despite chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. On June 19, Scarlett’s care team at Children’s Hospital Egleston ran out of new treatment options and gave her just a few months to live.
“We’re taking one day at a time,” says Scarlett’s mom Katie. “Some days are better than others but, we’re thankful for every day we get with her.”
Scarlett Patrol
When her journey began last July, Scarlett’s family set up a Facebook page to bring attention to her cancer. They named the page Scarlett Patrol, a nod to her favorite TV show.
They asked for healing prayer.
Within the past year, over 7,000 people have followed the page to keep up with Scarlett’s story. At the hospital, Scarlett and her maternal grandmother Heather Johnson took a map of the United States and placed a dot in every state where someone is praying for her.
Scarlett’s journey has been full of love and support every step of the way.
“They [Scarlett’s family] love their family. They’re just such family-oriented people,” friend Cheryl Sumpter says. “Just the cheer they have for their babies and grandbabies, and for Scarlett, it’s amazing.”
No matter what Scarlett and her family go through, they go through it together. When Scarlett was diagnosed, Johnson recalls her son and two daughters at the hospital, talking with doctors as the family processed the information they had received. She says that everyone came together to “lift each other up.”
After Scarlett’s doctors told her parents they were out of options, a family member stepped in to raise funds for “one last beach trip” for Scarlett, as well as medical bills, travel expenses, and supplemental income.
“There’s definitely been a lot of tears shed, a lot of frustration,” Johnson says. “But mostly a lot of love.”
Even now, as the family’s sense of helplessness grows – “I would trade places with her in a heartbeat!” says Scarlett’s paternal grandmother Sheila Atkins – their faith and hope remain strong.
“We haven’t lost our faith that God can heal her but, we also know that sometimes the healing we want isn’t what He does,” shares Katie as the weight of the reality bearing down on them grows heavier each day. Atkins adds, “My Nana heart cannot give up on her.”
Sunshiny smiles
Through everything, Scarlett has kept her sunshiny smile, although it shines brighter on some days than others. She and her family have grown adept at finding the extraordinary in the ordinary – wagon rides at the hospital, beach trips with cousins, living in the moment.
Scarlett dressed up as Elsa for her fourth birthday party (Frozen-themed, of course) and has shared her excitement with those closest to her as her hair grows back white-blonde, just like her favorite Disney queen.
These are the moments that make up the memories her family will cherish forever.
Scarlett entered into hospice care this past Monday and is spending time at home playing with her sister, visiting the park, creating more memories with her loved ones. “The days may be hard but, the moments are forever,” her mom says.
There is another special moment the family is looking forward to in August. Sumpter, a member of the Divine 3 southern gospel group, has organized a benefit concert to help ease the LaCount’s financial burdens.
The benefit, taking place on August 1 from 11 am to 7 pm, will be held at Sam Pitt’s Park in Clarkesville. The event will showcase gospel, bluegrass, and country groups, as well as food and fun for the whole family.
Organizers planned the outdoor event to allow for social distancing. For those who can’t attend but still want to help, there is a GoFundMe account set up in Scarlett’s name.
“I believe in miracles, and I believe that God can heal her,” Sumpter says. “He restores life, and that’s what we’re looking for; we’re looking for a miracle for her.”
