The Lake Bluff community is coming together in a significant way to support one of their own. On Feb. 27, Lake Bluff Preschool hosted its first-ever “Hattie Strong” day to show love and support to four-year-old Hattie Lewicki, who has recently been diagnosed with a stage 4 Wilms Tumor. 

This is a rare type of cancerous tumor located in the kidneys, most often found in young children. The event had preschoolers wear gold shirts (the color representing pediatric cancer) that say “Hattie Strong” in order to raise awareness for Hattie and kidney cancer.

In addition to planning more “Hattie Strong” days, Preschool Director Dana Hansen and Hattie’s teachers worked to create a fun way for the children to support Hattie. On “Hattie Strong” days, everyone wears a fun hat – “Hats for Hattie” –  to make the effects of chemo more understandable and less scary.

The community is involved in supporting Hattie and her family in many ways, including her fellow classmates and teachers showing their encouragement. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, the preschool wears gold to show further support and compassion for Hattie.

Ann Lewicki, Hattie’s mom, said she is thankful for the support the preschool and the community has shown Hattie through these last few months. She said the entire Lake Bluff community has been “unbelievably supportive” since her diagnosis on Jan. 11 and her family is “beyond thankful.”

“It’s been a really difficult time for us, as you can imagine, but the community has been incredible and the kind gestures have left us speechless so many times. And it’s not just physical things that this community has provided, it’s prayers, check-in texts, and time that has meant the most,” Ann Lewicki said. “Everyone has their own busy lives and families, yet everyone has offered to take something on so we can focus on Hattie and our family. It’s humbling and overwhelming, and we are so grateful for this special community.” 

Hattie’s diagnosis has been met with an outpouring of love and support from the Lake Bluff community. Friends and neighbors have come together to show just how much they care.

“Lake Bluff is so special, and we knew that before, but we feel it so deeply now. This community is like no other and is full of so many generous, thoughtful, caring families,” Ann Lewicki said.

Mr. Monkey Bear

In order to keep Hattie engaged and included, the preschool has been using a system called Monkey In My Chair, a program for children with cancer that allows them to feel included at school when they are unable to attend. 

Hattie named her monkey “Mr. Monkey Bear,” and he takes her place in the classroom when she is absent. Not only is there a monkey at school, but there is a smaller monkey that keeps Hattie company at home so she feels connected to her classroom and friends. 

The monkey is there not only to help Hattie feel included but to help the other preschoolers understand where Hattie is and what she is going through.

After Hattie’s first rounds of chemo, she felt strong enough to return for full school days, proving to be even “stronger” than her mom expected. However, with more intense chemo and two more surgeries, Hattie hasn’t been able to attend school due to low immunity and recovery. Mr. Monkey Bear has helped her feel a part of her class.

“Miss Kristin and Mrs. Zbynski have embraced this concept and constantly send photos and videos of the children with the Monkey,” Ann Lewicki said. “These gestures make her smile most days, though there are days where it magnifies the fact that she isn’t there. I have tried to keep Mrs. Hansen and the teachers as informed as possible and they have been so accommodating to whatever Hattie needs.”

Marcine Zbynski and Kristen Marchisello, Hattie’s teachers, ensure their classrooms are full of kindness and compassion, and part of this was the addition of Mr. Monkey Bear.

“When Hattie is present, the children naturally show care by playing with or sitting by her. On the days when Hattie is absent, we have a special routine with Mr. Monkey Bear, who takes her place in the classroom,” Zbynski said. “During activities like show and tell, Mr. Monkey Bear presents an item that starts with the letter of the week, symbolically filling in for Hattie. At lunch, we set a plate with plastic food in front of him, just as if Hattie were sitting at the table.”

On the days Hattie is able to attend school, she has no problem jumping back into what she missed. Marchisello says this is partly due to her cheerful personality. 

“Hattie is an incredibly strong young lady and has a vibrant and engaging personality. She is full of spunk and has no problem engaging with the class when she can join us in person. She is a full participant and enjoys all of the activities we do,” Marchisello said.

Community Support

The Lake Bluff Preschool community is committed to helping Hattie and her family in every way possible, Marchisello said. 

“What is so amazing about our community is the support we provide each other,” Marchisello said. “Our classmates connect with Hattie outside of school through a variety of ways. I know some of my students have made her get well baskets and dropped them off, while some of my parents have made her family dinners to alleviate some of the stress that they must be going through.”

On Hattie’s first day back to school after her initial surgery, the love and support shown to her was heartwarming to her mom.

“That day was very memorable for me, as all the children were in the gym playing in their silly (Hats for Hattie) when we arrived, and when they saw Hattie, many came running over saying ‘Hattie! We missed you!’ She was shy at all the attention, but felt so loved, Ann Lewicki said.“For me, it was such a visible representation of the support this special little school was offering to our family at this very difficult time.” 

Zbynski and Marchisello said they have noticed many moments of kindness amongst their students. From simple to big, these gestures all help to cheer her up.

“I have the best group of students. When Hattie is in school, the kids always greet her with hugs and big smiles. When she was having her first round of treatment and Mr. Monkey Bear just joined us, the kids wanted to draw pictures of monkeys to cheer her up! I thought that was incredibly touching,” Marchisello said. 

Both of Hattie’s classes have worked hard to make her feel better, including wearing matching yellow bracelets every day, painting rocks that say “Pray 4 Hattie,” drawing pictures to tape on Hattie’s windows, personalized book bags with handwritten notes from each classmate in a book they bought for her, bins full of fun activities to occupy her time during chemo infusions, and more.

Zbynski has noticed in particular many heartwarming moments that represent the kindness and support of the Lake Bluff Preschool community.

“After Hattie’s first surgery, one little boy, mindful of Hattie’s need to take it easy, offered to retrieve the ball every time it rolled too far during play. He even told her that he prays for her every night. Another little boy surprised her by dropping off a bouquet of roses at her house. Simple gestures like these truly highlight the caring spirit of our preschool community,” Zbynski said.

Hattie’s family appreciates the love and encouragement they have received during this challenging time.

“This whole experience has changed everything and given such a new perspective to life. Never have we felt more loved and supported,” Ann Lewicki said. “We have had countless families drop off little things to brighten Hattie’s day, or pop by for a quick hello and maybe a game of Hurry Up Chicken Butt or Uno—Hattie’s favorites. I have received endless texts of encouragement, prayers and offers to help in any way needed.”

The Lesson

Explaining Hattie’s illness to the other preschoolers can be a challenge for Hattie’s teachers, but they are determined to do whatever it takes to help them understand these difficult circumstances.

“We explain Hattie’s illness in simple, age-appropriate terms. The preschoolers learn that sometimes Hattie isn’t feeling well and needs to go to the hospital for treatments to help her get better. This helps them understand the situation without creating fear,” Zbynski said.

In order to keep them informed, they tell them what they can with as much honesty and compassion.

“It is always difficult to ascertain what is too much information to tell young children. We are here to comfort and help support these children in any way we can. When difficult questions come up like, ‘Will Hattie lose her hair?’ we try to explain it in terms that are simple and not scary,” Marchisello said. “I have said to students that Hattie is getting medicine that will make her better but it may make her lose some of her hair, but it is not contagious. You want to be honest and reassuring if they are scared or nervous.”

Through the support and care the community has shown Hattie and her family, it is evident that the preschoolers have a clear understanding and compassion for Hattie and her situation and are excited for their friend to come back to school.

“Children have such a great capacity for love and compassion,” Marchisello said. “They don’t see the world we do. They just see their friend Hattie and they love her and can’t wait for the day she is back with us in the classroom. Until then, we will keep being ‘Hattie Strong.’”