Adalyn Hetzel, a three-year-old from Southampton, has been selected to serve as an ambassador for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, one of the largest childhood cancer charities in the nation, writes Kayla Yup for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

In the spring of 2024, not long after her second birthday, Hetzel was diagnosed with an aggressive soft-tissue cancer by physicians at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Her treatment journey included 40 weeks of chemotherapy and a month of daily proton-radiation therapy as she worked toward remission.

Now, she will share her story and advocate for less toxic treatments as one of five ambassadors for the California-based organization, which has awarded over $369 million in research grants in the last two decades.

Adalyn and four other children, along with their families, will participate in advocacy days in D.C., where they will appeal to lawmakers and share their stories with the public and on social media.

The Southampton toddler, who loves chocolate-dipped croissants, will be on St. Baldrick’s social media for National Croissant Day.

“What we want for every kid who’s diagnosed is the ability to just go back and enjoy being a kid again,” said Jane Hoppen, director of family relations at St. Baldrick’s.

Read more about Adalyn Hetzel and how she will act as an advocate for less toxic treatments in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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