Family Holds Blood Drive To Honor Local 4-year-old's Cancer Fight

FLOSSMOOR, IL — The family of a local 4-year-old girl who has bravely fought leukemia for nearly two years knows just how important blood can be to someone in her position. Joy Arseneau, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in November 2020, has needed several transfusions during her fight.

Her mother Nikki watched as Joy battled what was happening to her body, and as her community rallied around her, and decided to give back. Arseneau started the "Drip for Joy" annual blood drive, now in its second year.

"Last year, it was so successful, we decided we should do this every year as long as we can," Arseneau said.

Those wishing to donate are invited to stop by South Suburban Vineyard Church, 3400 196th Street in Flossmoor, August 10 from 3 to 7 p.m. All blood types are welcome, but O+ is in the highest demand, she added. People wanting to participate can sign up online in advance.

Giving blood might seem like such a simple gesture with unknown benefits, but Arseneau stresses that it can so directly impact people like her Joy, who needed the blood to help her body fight.

"I think a lot of people think the blood donated goes to trauma victims," Arseneau said. "But a lot of times they go to people like Joy. This is just one way that we can give back."

Joy was diagnosed in November 2020 after having a low-grade fever and fatigue for 10 days.

"At that moment, your world changes," Arseneau said, of her daughter's diagnosis. "I always describe it, there’s this 'pre-cancer life' and then everything after that day. They started chemo right away. Everything was happening so fast."

The first 30 days were tough, Arseneau said. Joy gained weight, her face was swollen, and she lost the ability to walk. She regressed to diapers after have been potty-trained.

"She was a fighter, though, and she wouldn’t let that slow her down," her mother said. "She kept practicing walking, and when the leukemia cells were disappearing, she regained the ability to walk."

The next phase of treatment led to her hair falling out.

"She had long, beautiful, brown hair, and she lost all of it," Arseneau said.

Throughout those two phases was when Joy received her transfusions.

Today, her treatment is progressing with daily chemotherapy pills and outpatient sessions.

"She’s doing great, she had a hold where her counts were too low, and she was off chemo for a couple of weeks here and there this summer, but she’s back on track now."

The little girl who loves to dance and play with baby dolls has more time to do just that. If all things stay on track, she will ring the bell signaling completion of her treatment in February 2023.

Her mother has watched as Joy has grown up through turmoil and illness. She observes as Joy plays "hospital" with her baby dolls and Barbie dolls.

"I think it’s a lot of her processing what she’s going through," Arseneau said. "She’ll bring her babies and barbies to the doctor, it’s interesting watching her play, and see how she tells this story."

Oh, and Joy loves SpongeBob. And her older brothers Cameron (15), and Ian (11).

"They're her biggest cheerleaders," Arseneau said.