Home Run for Life: Young cancer survivor runs bases after brain surgery at Beacon Children’s
This story features a Beacon Children’s Hospital patient who ran the bases in our Home Run for Life program — a partnership between Beacon Health System and the South Bend Cubs. We featured the heartfelt stories of each patient who participated in the program throughout the summer.
Penelope Taylor is like any other bright, curious 9-year-old. She loves drawing, crafting, and dancing around to Taylor Swift. She takes her role as a big sister seriously, and while art is her favorite subject, she is excited to finally be taking science.
But last May, Penelope’s world—and her family’s—shattered in an instant.
It started as a normal school day. Then, out of nowhere, she collapsed. A seizure took hold of her tiny body, sending her classmates into confusion and her teachers into action. By the time she arrived at the emergency room, it happened again.
Her parents, Stacy and Frank, held onto hope that it was something manageable—a seizure disorder, perhaps. But then came the news no parent is ever prepared to hear.
A brain tumor.
Their little girl—so full of life, so vibrant—needed brain surgery. Hearing those words was shocking. Not knowing if they would have to travel miles away to get the treatment Penelope needed was overwhelming, especially with Stacy finishing college.
It was the relief the family needed when they found out they could receive expert care right here in South Bend.
“Obviously, my daughter is always top priority,” Stacy said. “Knowing we can bring her to Beacon Children’s Hospital instead of Indianapolis or Chicago has definitely made it so that our family is able to do all the other things we need to do.”
Dr. Daniel Fulkerson
When the Taylors met Dr. Daniel Fulkerson, pediatric neurosurgeon at Beacon Medical Group North Central Neurosurgery, they knew their daughter would be in the best hands. Penelope’s surgery took place two weeks later.
“Dr. Fulkerson told us Penelope was cracking jokes right up until the anesthesia,” Stacy said.
The surgery went well, but the hardest blow was yet to come.
Their daughter’s tumor wasn’t just a tumor, it was malignant. The weight of that word hung heavy in the air, the kind of weight no parent should ever have to carry.
“We’re not really sure at this point if she will ever be truly cancer free,” Stacy said. “The doctors are just taking a very conservative approach to all of it since she is not experiencing any physical symptoms. She hasn’t even had a seizure since May of 2024.”
Every three months, Penelope returns to Beacon Children’s Hospital for an MRI to make sure her tumor is not growing or spreading. “Other than that, she’s able to do everything. I hope she’s able to have a full life of everything she wants to do,” Stacy said.
Through it all, Beacon has been more than just a hospital. It has been a second home—a place of comfort, expertise and unwavering support.
More from the South Bend Cubs and WNDU
Home Run for Life is an annual program hosted by the South Bend Cubs in partnership with Beacon Children’s Hospital to honor brave young patients who have overcome significant medical challenges. During six home games each season, a featured patient and their family are recognized on the field, share their inspiring story through a video. Players and coaches join in the celebration as the patient rounds the bases. Hear more about Penelope’s journey in this South Bend Cubs story and on WNDU. Watch her run the bases in this WNDU video.
