Orland Girl, 7, Who Beat Cancer Raises Nearly $10,000 For Charity That Uplifted Her

ORLAND PARK, IL — An Orland Park girl in remission after a two-year cancer fight continues her plight to help other kids in the throes of similar battles.

Isla Dorsey, 7, who fought rhabdomyosarcoma, always told her mother Danielle that she wanted to organize a lemonade stand, for three summers now, she's fulfilled that dream. The inaugural event in 2024 raised $6,000 for Project Fire Buddies, a volunteer-led effort by local fire departments to show support for children battling critical illness and their families. Last year's event raised $5,000 cash and $1,000 in Project Fire Buddies swag sales.

"I am truly humbled at the continued love and support our family continues to receive," Dorsey said Thursday. "This year we had one goal in mind, to raise more for Project Fire Buddies than we did last year. I am honored to say we absolutely did just that."

The totals for this year's event blew past previous years', with $8,700 raised, plus $730 in Fire Buddies Swag sales, for a total of $9,430 to give more kids even "more good days," Dorsey said—referencing a motto the organization shares.

Isla was diagnosed in May 2022 with rhabdomyosarcoma in her left sinuses, which later spread to a lymph node on each side, and both of her lungs. Following treatment, scans in February 2024 showed no recurrence. To-date, she is still considered to be in remission.

While celebrating Isla's win, Dorsey said both she and Isla have not lost sight of all they've been through—and who helped them along the way. Oak Forest-based nonprofit Project Fire Buddies began in 2016, and his since grown to include 140 chapters across 10 states. Volunteers within the participating department dote on assigned "fire buddies," in an effort to lift their spirits. Their efforts are deeply personal, tailored to each fire buddy's interests and family's needs—Taylor Swift, guitars, live music, sports, etc.—designed to lift the weight of their conditions, even momentarily.

Their shows of support ranged from a gift, to a Christmas lights surprise, to helping Dorsey secure a new roof over their heads. For her sixth birthday last year, several firefighters accompanied her on a trip to the American Girl Doll store.

On social media Thursday, Dorsey celebrated the organization and all they've done for her family.

"Yesterday marked four years since we first met Isla’s fire buddies," Dorsey said. "It has both flown by and been a lifetime. Since that day we have had countless really awful days, but we’ve also had some really incredible days. All thanks to so many amazing people. We have been able to create memories, laugh, cry, and share hope with people we would not have known if it weren’t for Project Fire Buddies. It is truly an honor to be able to say that over the past three years Isla’s Lemonade Stand has raised over $20,000 for Project Fire Buddies.

"That is not a typo. $20,000. I am in shock and awe."

Project Fire Buddies is so grateful for the family's support in furthering their mission. Kelly DeGroot, the Director of Mission Operations for Project Fire Buddies, reflected on the importance of such support for the organization. DeGroot handles all of the fire buddies in the organization, logging every visit and ordering every gift for each child. Last Christmas she ordered gifts for over 600 kids.

"Once you meet Isla, she is the kind of sweet girl that never leaves your heart," said DeGroot. "This is her 3rd lemonade stand for Project Fire Buddies. (Her home chapter is the Orland Park Chapter.) It takes a very special heart to turn a simple lemonade stand into a wave of hope. Children helping children is one of the most beautiful acts to witness. Her generosity and hard work touched every single one us, and we are so incredibly proud to call Isla and her mother, Danielle, a friend and a Fire Buddy."

While Isla remains cancer-free today, she has experienced some setbacks lately, Dorsey said.

"Isla’s journey is far from over," Dorsey said. "She continues to face setbacks and challenges that knock the wind out of us, but to have such an incredible support system and community around us makes our difficult days a little brighter. Thank you so much for sticking by us and for helping make a difference in the lives of so many children like Isla."

Isla told her mom she enjoys being able to support other kids like her.

"It makes me happy to be able to give back to my buddies so that they can make other kids' crappy days better," Isla said.