Meet Maddie: Children’s Miracle Network champion ‘super woman’ thanks St. Luke’s care, inspired to become nurse

Sometimes, the smallest among us can provide us the biggest show of strength, offering an indelible example of perseverance.

Here in Idaho, we have a prime example of that in 13-year-old Maddie, who is ready to be a beacon of hope for kids like her — and people of all kinds in our communities.

The state’s 2026 Children’s Miracle Network champion, Maddie became a beloved presence at St. Luke’s facilities as she battled cancer throughout her childhood.

Dozens and dozens of visits, treatments, chemotherapy and one marathon surgery later, she is thriving and consistently awing those around her.

“Maddie is the most amazing, sweetest, kindest, happiest, bravest person that I think I’ve ever met,” said Dr. David Klima, St. Luke’s pediatric surgeon and system medical director of pediatric surgical subspecialties.

That description of Maddie is even more impressive when considering all she’s gone through.

When she was 3, a Wilms tumor — or nephroblastoma — was discovered on her kidney. It was caught early during a routine checkup, so after six months of treatment and a partial nephrectomy to remove the tumor, she was back to her normal self.

Chances of cancer returning were extremely low. However, about seven years later, her family started noticing some unusual symptoms. It was quickly discovered the cancer was back and much more aggressive.

“Our world stopped,” Maddie’s mom Ali said. “How do you tell your 10-year-old she has cancer? … we thought we were in the clear.”

But Maddie’s smile — one impossible to miss even behind a surgical mask — never went away. Even during 18 months of chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries.

That was in spite of the fact the tumor had taken over her left kidney, spread to the liver and blocked the inferior vena cava, which carries blood from the body’s lower half to the back of the heart.

Ali estimated there were more than 100 hospital visits in those 18 months. It takes a unique personality to keep a brave face — and sometimes that requires a little help.

“She was always trying her best to stay positive,” Maddie’s dad Isaac said. “The nurses helped a lot with that … she just kept that smile on her face throughout it all.”

Isaac credited the St. Luke’s team with finding ways to keep Maddie engaged, from playing games and doing crafts with her to visits from the music therapy team. One nurse who kept things light even brought in a machine that plays, well, flatulent sounds.