When you meet 12-year-old Kinley Spencer of Youngsville, the first thing you notice isn’t her diagnosis. It’s her personality.
“She is as funny as they come,” her mom, Megan, says. “She’s witty, artsy, outdoorsy and has a ton of personality. Volleyball, hunting, soccer — she loves it all. She’s just full of life.”
That life was turned upside down this summer when Kinley was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumor, one of the rarest cancers in the world, with fewer than 200 reported cases.
On May 18, her family thought they were headed to the ER in Lafayette for what looked like a stomach ulcer. Instead, tests revealed Kinley’s abdomen was filled with cancerous cells, and she was quickly transferred to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge for specialized cancer care.
“We knew it was cancer of some sort, but it took the doctors a very long time, three weeks, to nail down what the diagnosis was,” Megan recalls. “We put a lot of faith and patience into God because the wait may have been the hardest part. After we knew it was DSRCT, we put a plan in place and started treatments the next day.”
A Home for Treatment — Close to Home
The Spencers faced a big decision: stay in Baton Rouge or travel out-of-state for Kinley’s care. With the recommended treatment pathway available locally, they chose to remain close to family and friends and receive care at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.
“We could not speak enough praises over the team that takes care of her every day,” Megan says. “As much as we like to be home, it’s sad when we’re not there. They’re like family now.”
Kinley is currently halfway through a grueling 27-week chemotherapy plan, alternating between short three-day stays and longer six- to seven-day hospital admissions, with weekly check-ins with her physician team in between. She’s already undergone multiple surgeries to relieve painful fluid buildup and continues to need regular blood and platelet transfusions.
Kinley’s brother, Cohen, especially feels the long stretches when Kinley is admitted, but Child Life specialists step in to help fill that gap.
“Ashley has done an incredible job of making her feel like she is never lonely and always makes her feel so treasured and included in everything going on,” Megan says.
Faith and Family First
The Spencer family has walked this road before. When Kinley was just 3, Megan was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. By the grace of God, she beat it and now brings that same courage to her daughter’s side.
“The bond they share is unshakable,” says Kinley’s dad, Jordan. “As Kinley walks through this storm, Megan brings a kind of comfort only someone who’s been there can give.”
Faith anchors the entire family.
“Faith is just as important as the treatments,” Megan says. “Especially during those first weeks of not knowing her diagnosis, we let God take the wheel.”
A Community of Support
From the start, the Spencer family has been surrounded by extraordinary support. Neighbors, friends and strangers have rallied around #MiraclesForKinley, donating blood, raising funds, sending meals and lifting the family in prayer.
“The outpouring of love has been overwhelming,” Megan says. “We’ve always tried to give back to the community through our business, and now, to be on the receiving end, it’s incredibly humbling.”
More Than a Patient: An Advocate
Despite everything she’s facing, Kinley has already stepped into a role bigger than her own diagnosis. Recently, she stood alongside her doctors at the Louisiana State Capitol for the signing of the Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day proclamation. She was recognized by Gov. Jeff Landry, given a private tour of his office and even sat in his chair.
“She was so excited to be there,” Megan says. “More than anything, she wanted to be a light for the kids who will come after her. That’s what keeps her spirits up, knowing she can bring joy and hope to others.”
On September 20, Kinley will be recognized as Our Lady of the Lake’s Geaux Hero during the LSU Football game against Southeastern, celebrating her courage, faith and the light she shines for other children facing cancer.
Choosing Joy
Even in the hardest moments, Kinley and her family choose laughter, light and faith.
“We stress keeping her humor,” Megan says. “We laugh as much as we can. We’ve seen God’s hand in this from the start, and that’s what keeps us going.”
Kinley’s story is one of fierce love and a community refusing to let her fight alone. She may be one in a billion, but she’s also a seventh-grader who loves hunting, volleyball and cracking jokes with her nurses.
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