03/11/2026
Meet Alyssa and baby Addison. 👋🩷
When Alyssa was five months pregnant, she heard the words no one ever expects: stage four cancer.
At just 27 years old, and preparing to welcome her baby girl Addison, Alyssa’s life changed. Instead of focusing only on her pregnancy, she suddenly faced a life-threatening diagnosis of an aggressive type of blood cancer: lymphoma.
With no other choice, Alyssa began chemotherapy here at Community Cancer Institute while still pregnant. Her oncologist, Dr. Haifaa Abdulhaq and along with others, carefully monitored both mom and baby, but there were many unknowns. Through every treatment, Alyssa kept fighting. Not just for herself, but for the little life she was carrying.
Then, in the middle of chemotherapy, something beautiful happened. On September 19, 2025, baby Addison was born healthy.
Addison spent about two weeks in the NICU, and during that time Alyssa continued chemotherapy while doing everything she could to be there for her newborn daughter. Even in the middle of treatments and recovery, she was learning what it meant to be a new mom.
Then came the moment Alyssa and her family had been hoping and praying for. On November 17, 2025, just two months after giving birth, Alyssa received the news: she was in remission. That day, she rang the bell, surrounded by her family, support squad and care team who stood beside her through every step of her journey.
Today, Alyssa is grateful for the team at Community Cancer Institute who helped guide her through this journey. Most of all, she’s embracing every moment of motherhood, ready to show her daughter just how strong she truly is.