Ten months ago, when the nights were at their longest, Ned Rice found himself in an unimaginable situation. His 3-year-old daughter, Wynnie, was diagnosed with brain cancer. In a desperate attempt to cope and gather information, he reached out to total strangers - doctors across the country who had never met his daughter. This was the start of a long and arduous journey that would test the strength and resilience of not only Wynnie but her entire family.

In the Midst of Darkness, a Family Finds Hope

Initial Signs and the First Steps

Wynnie was a happy and healthy 3-year-old, learning to move faster. However, her parents noticed that her balance wasn't improving. They scheduled an appointment with their pediatrician in December. The pediatrician, concerned, suggested they take Wynnie to the CHOP emergency room to ease any immediate concerns. This was just the beginning of a series of events that would change their lives forever.During that first trip to the ER, before everything escalated, Ned was on the phone with Dave Dombrowski, negotiating a deal for a star free agent. The day Wynnie underwent surgery, he called Phillies general manager Sam Fuld to share the news. The support from their friends and colleagues was overwhelming, but they still had a long road ahead.

The Diagnosis and the Aftermath

On December 29, 2023, during an MRI, a doctor pointed to a large tumor in Wynnie's brain. She was sedated for the procedure, and it took a week to know if the tumor was cancerous. The wait was agonizing, and the fear was palpable. When the diagnosis of medulloblastoma came, it was a low point for the family. But they didn't give up.Ned and Cary spent almost eight months at CHOP with Wynnie. Her treatment was grueling, with alternating cycles of chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplants. They found a community within the hospital, with nurses like Heidi Turner becoming more than just caregivers - they were friends and therapists.

The Support System

The Rices were fortunate to have a support system that surrounded them. From family members and friends dropping everything to care for Wynnie's siblings to acquaintances offering help, they never felt alone. Their former boss, Matt Klentak, was a constant source of support during those late-night conversations. The Instagram account they created to chronicle Wynnie's fight against cancer became a way for them to express their complicated feelings and connect with others.John Middleton, the Phillies' principal owner, offered to connect the family with doctors. And when Wynnie was in the hospital, the Phillies' wives and girlfriends organized a present for her. The entire Phillies organization showed their support in various ways, from players making donations to having their heads shaved or painted.

The Present and the Future

Two weeks ago, Wynnie had a birthday party. It was a celebration of her life and the village that had formed around her. Despite feeling sick near the end of the party and having to go to the emergency room with croup, she was 4 and here, surrounded by her loved ones.Wynnie's hair is starting to grow back, and she wears a purple knit cap with three purple flowers painted on her forehead. Their focus is on getting through each day, knowing that the full impact of her treatments will be known in December. But they are hopeful for a normal future, and they will continue to fight with all their might.