GA toddler fighting leukemia is all smiles, 'feeling great'

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A Decatur toddler who has been battling leukemia for nearly a year is "feeling great," but she's still in need of prayers. 

Last June, Carly Ezelle was a few months shy of her second birthday when her parents noticed she was walking with a slight limp, so they immediately took her to the doctor's office. Following some tests, Carly’s pediatrician noticed her platelet levels were very low. She was rushed to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and within a few hours her parents learned their daughter had leukemia.

“Our world came crashing down,” mother Kacey Ezelle said. “I never imagined I would ever hear that my baby has cancer.”

Carly was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), which is the most common type of childhood cancer. She began treatment immediately.

Following her first round of chemotherapy, Carly still had leukemia cells in her bone marrow so she was moved into the high risk group, which means she's at a high risk for relapse. 

“In the high risk group, chemotherapy is strong, and more frequent,” Ezelle told FOX 5 a few months ago.

Carly, who turns 3 in September, is now 11 months into treatment and her mother said she's doing great. The Ezelles are excited for summertime and plan on taking their first family vacation since their daughter's diagnosis. 

Ezelle told FOX 5 Carly will continue having clinic visits once a month, which will include chemotherapy treatment. This month she started physical therapy at CHOA to help with leg weakness and neuropathy from chemo. 

Carly's chemotherapy will continue through October of 2017. Throughout her treatment and battle against leukemia, her family asks that you keep Carly in your thoughts and pray that she remains cancer free. 

The Ezelles hope to continue raising money and awareness for childhood cancer. Carly loves spending time at Camp Sunshine, which supports children battling cancer and their families. If you would like to donate toward this wonderful cause based in Georgia, click here