West Hudson Valley News

Chester, NY - Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C - Walden) has initiated a campaign to support 5-year-old Lilly Fernandez in her battle against cancer. After being approached by a nonprofit organization that assists families facing cancer diagnoses, Maher met Lilly and her family, including her sister Jailyn and parents Heydi and Harry. He quickly mobilized efforts to gather community support.

“The Chester community and the entire Orange County community is a very special place to live and raise a family,” said Maher. “When a local family comes under tough times we always come together to help. This recent cancer diagnosis for Lilly would be devastating for any father, and as a father of three myself, I thought of my own children and decided my team and I would take the lead. Being able to get a phone call that one of my constituents is in need and being in a position to help is the best part of my job.”

Lilly’s mother, Heydi Fernandez, expressed gratitude for the community's assistance. “We are so thankful to have so much assistance from our community and local officials,” she said. “We are not the type of people to ask for help and we did not know there were so many people that would be willing to help us in our time of need. We feel so blessed to be getting so many messages of love and support and although our battle ahead will be the toughest of our lives, it feels good to know that we are not alone.”

Lilly's condition first became apparent on March 19, 2024, when she developed a severe fever that led her parents to seek urgent medical care. Initial treatments with antibiotics were ineffective, prompting further tests at Garnet Health Medical Center in Orange County, NY. There she was diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

Subsequent bloodwork revealed anemia along with low red and white blood cell counts as well as low platelets. She was transferred to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital on March 26 where tests confirmed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The diagnosis devastated Lilly's parents.

“Harry and I remember feeling like we had been hit with a pile of bricks," recalled Heydi Fernandez. "She had her bone marrow done that day and because Harry had to go to work, I was alone in the room with my baby girl when the oncologist walked in and asked me if I could step out for a few minutes to talk. I looked at my sweet little girl sound asleep with this oxygen mask on and a bag of blood transfusion attached to the IV machine. The official diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). I felt as if the world stopped and it was just me falling into a dark hole.”

Lilly will require treatment until 2026 which includes chemotherapy sessions that have forced her withdrawal from school until at least September. The financial strain on the Fernandez family has intensified due to their reliance solely on Harry's income as an MTA employee amid mounting bills threatening foreclosure on their home—a situation exacerbated by storm damage from a recent tornado.

“Lilly is a spunky, fun, self-described ‘silly’ girl with a love for music, dance, and singing," said Maher. "She reminds me so much of my own daughter, and I am sure if you are a parent, grandparent or aunt/uncle you would absolutely fall in love with her the same way my family and team have. Their family has gone through so much, they need our support more than ever during these difficult times.”