About Leah

 Leah Chapman was a vibrant, healthy 13-year-old, who loved playing soccer, enjoyed gymnastics, running track, going to the beach and was an honor student. A few months into her 8th grade year, she was crippled from trigeminal nerve pain. It appeared on her first MRI that Leah had a benign tumor. Leah under went surgery in January of 2008, but the neurosurgeon discovered it was a rare cancer, Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. Leah was immediately referred to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).  Leah received excellent care from the oncology team, at whch time she changed her dream of being a teacher to an oncology nurse practitioner.

Leah's treatment plan called for four chemotherapies for a year and daily radiation for six weeks.  During her treatments at CHOP is  when Leah started Team Chappy, she knew first hand, better treatments and a cure for all childhood cancers was urgently needed. 

Leah, her friends, and family, quickly got involved in a variety of childhood cancer awareness events in the community. Alex's Lemonade Stand was hosted by Riley Gillespie (11) a friend of the family, raising over $10,000 in 2008. Neighbors Samantha DelViscio, Julia Oakes, family & friends started Chappy Charms raising over $10,000 for the CHOP cancer center in 2009.

Leah remained determined, positive and hopeful along with her parents, Ray, Christina, younger brother Eric, and extended family, that she would be able to survive this devastating illness. After 8 months the intitial treatment plan failed, Leah tried 3 more clinical options to beat this terrible disease.  She had everything to live for, a lifetime of dreams, she was only 14.

Leah did not let cancer take away her time and cherished memories with her family and friends, she truly lived every moment. Leah peacefully lost her battle at 14, surrounded with her family.

Leah’s spirit lives on everywhere, in butterflies, her favorite colors (pink and green), giggles we hear and smiles that radiate like hers.

We promised Leah we would continue her legacy to find cures for childhood cancers.