Wearing 'Bracelets of Joy' gives assist to leukemia victim's family

A Franklin County fashion trend aims to ease the financial woes of one local family who continues to battle the diagnosis of their 9-month-ancient pride and joy.

Joy Conley was just 5 months ancient when she was diagnosed with TALL Leukemia, a form of the cancer which is not common to infants, according to Grandma Peggy Stanley.

 "Nikki, my daughter in law, used to be a nurse," Peggy clarified. "She told my son Justin, on that Friday (June 27) that baby Joy looked pale. She was fussy and had a low-grade fever."

The parents thought the otherwise healthy child was teething and made an appointment for her the following Monday. It didn't take doctors long to realize that Joy needed more wide testing and she was sent by ambulance to St. Louis where she and her family faced the terrible news that would come.

"Our life changed," Peggy said. "At first, they had to sedate her because she was so sick. They started her chemo (therapy). It is very hard on small babies."

At 9 months ancient, Joy has two ports in her chest and is not able to crawl around and play like normal babies. She weighs only a small over 13 pounds and has lost most of her hair but not her spirit.

"We haven't gotten to see her but twice since all of this," Peggy said, explaining that she was not able to have visitors due to her illness and treatments.

The baby's aunt and Peggy's daughter, Shauna Stanley, pulled photos from a bag monogrammed on the side, "Bracelets of Joy" which was full of the bracelets she and others have made as a fundraiser for the child.

"She's our Joy," the grandma said about herself and her husband Robbie and their family.

The photos were of a smiling and pleased baby, not unlike any additional baby at that age, loving on her daddy who held her tight, kissing her face and playing guitar for her as she lay in her hospital bed.

Shauna said she had gotten a soda-tab bracelet from a yard sale about a year earlier and one night as she sat in the floor thinking about baby Joy, she and Brittani Wertz (cousin) chose they'd make them as a fundraiser for the family's overwhelming expenses but also as a way to do something from so far away.

"You feel helpless," Shauna said. "This way, people that donate can get something in return too."

Shauna started a Facebook page called Bracelets of JOY and also had shirts made with a bible verse on the back and message of like for Joy on the front.

Peggy said the faith of the family through the process has been key to their ability to overcome their dread and push forward with hope and the belief that Joy will be healed.

"They lean on the Lord a lot," Peggy said. "Joy was dedicated in church in May and June she got sick."

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