Home Run for Life: Four-year-old cancer patient loved “running and batting” with South Bend Cubs

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 will be featuring the heartfelt stories of each patient who is participating in this program throughout the summer.

At just four years old, Haddie is bursting with personality. “She’s spunky, full of energy and life,” says her mom, Shelby. “She’s really funny.”

So when their vibrant, playful daughter suddenly lost her spark last April—crying often, complaining of leg pain, and wanting nothing more than to lie in bed—her parents knew something was deeply wrong.

What began as what seemed like growing pains turned into a terrifying diagnosis. After weeks of unanswered questions and medical visits, a blood draw revealed critically low hemoglobin levels. Haddie was rushed to Riley Hospital for a blood transfusion. That’s when her family got the news they never expected to hear: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

“Devastating. Awful. A worst nightmare,” Shellby says.

They turned to Beacon Children’s Hospital, where Haddie continued her fight, surrounded by expert care, unwavering compassion and the kind of joy-filled support that donors like you make possible.

“She actually asks to spend the night at the hospital. That’s how much she loves it,” Shellby says. “They make it so enjoyable. You’d think these kids would dread going there, but Haddie is excited to see her doctors, her nurses, and of course, to earn prizes.”

The exceptional care has made all the difference. Thanks to her treatment, Haddie is now in the maintenance phase of her treatment. She’ll continue with lower doses of chemotherapy through the summer of 2026 to help keep the cancer from returning.

“I’m very grateful for the people at Beacon,” Shellby says. “This experience is traumatizing, to say the least, and they literally take that all away for Haddie. They make us feel heard and seen.”

Donor support ensures families like Haddie’s don’t have to travel far from home to get life-saving care—easing financial stress and offering peace of mind in the moments that matter most.

“She’s been awesome, and her body is doing great. She’s fighting and winning,” says Shellby. “My hope and dream for her is to live a healthy life… I think she’s going to grow up and do great things.”

More from the South Bend Cubs and WNDU

Read more about Haddie’s journey and watch a special video featuring her and her mom, Shellby.

WNDU-TV also shared Haddie’s story and covered her exciting Home Run for Life at the South Bend Cubs game.