Shortly after birth, Finley’s parents learned she had Down Syndrome and a congenital heart defect called complete atrioventricular canal defect. She stayed in the NICU for 19 days at their local hospital and was then transferred to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital. Her parents immediately knew Finely was in the right hands. Her doctors took the time to explain her condition thoroughly, guiding her family through a personalized care plan that would give Finley the best chance at a healthy future. At just seven and a half months old, Finley underwent open heart surgery, but she amazed everyone with her resilience, recovering smoothly and returning home just four days later. After surgery, Finley began growing into an active and spunky toddler at home. But a few months later, her mom noticed she had grayish coloring and immediately took her back to the hospital. Her care team discovered she had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an extremely rare diagnosis for children. Over the next few months, Finley endured six rounds of chemotherapy, but her bright spirit never dimmed. Her care team, including social workers and child life specialists worked hard to create a supportive environment. And just as she had with every challenge before, Finley fought hard. She responded well to treatment, and now that chemotherapy is over, Finley’s doctors see a bright future for her. She continues to visit the hospital for routine heart checks, ensuring she continues to stay healthy.