You’ve seen the signs throughout Lincoln County asking, “Please Pray for Blakelynn.”
Blakelynn is the two-year-old daughter of Billie and Katy Ellick. She was diagnosed last year with neuroblastoma which is one of the worst types of cancer for children.
Blakelynn has many relatives in the county. She is the granddaughter of Aaron and Davina Hodge McGee, the great-granddaughter of Jim and Chris Hodge and the niece of Jeff and Michelle Hodge Doherty. Little Bee, as her friends and loved ones call her, was accepted into St. Jude’s Hospital cancer treatment program.
This meant her family had to relocate to Memphis, Tennessee, where St. Jude’s is located. More than 70 years ago, Danny Thomas, a young entertainer with a baby on the way, was feeling despair because he couldn’t find much work. He turned to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes, and vowed, “Show me my way in life and I will build you a shrine.”
That prayer marked a pivotal moment in Thomas’ life. Soon after, he began finding work, eventually becoming one of the biggest stars of radio, film and television in his day. Danny used his fame to fulfill his vow. In 1962, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened in Memphis.
Last July, Davina, Blakelynn’s grandmother, left her home in the hands of husband Aaron and son Wyatt and moved to Memphis with her daughter to assist with the care of Blakelynn. Blakelynn’s father, Billie, had just begun his first teaching and coaching job at Fairland, Oklahoma when the family received the diagnosis. Billie traveled back and forth to Memphis on weekends to be with his wife and daughter.
Blakelynn was diagnosed when she was only one year old.
After three trips to different emergency rooms doctors finally determined it was cancer. She and her family headed to Memphis shortly after for treatment. Chemotherapy has been on-going but that has been completed. When there was a short break from treatments she would return to her home in Miami where her dad is currently employed as a coach/teacher. She will begin radiation treatments next week for ten days. They have been prepping her this week to begin this process.
Blakelynn had to be sedated and a full body cast was made of her small frame with tattoos on the cast to show where she is to receive the radiation. This is the last step in Blakelynn’s long journey towards healing. For the next two weeks she will be “put under” every day and given radiation. She will rest on the weekend and start the process all over again. After the radiation treatments are completed, Blakelynn will return home to Miami, Oklahoma and any further needed treatments will take place in Tulsa. Her greatgrandmother stated that Little Bee was at her home this past weekend and the family celebrated Easter together a week early.
Beta Sigma Phi, a service club in Stroud, recently held a fundraiser for the family to help with all the expenses they have incurred during this lengthy cancer battle. Service to others is a big part of membership in the international organization. Blakelynn’s grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt are all active members of the local sorority. Due to this fact, this project was especially dear to sorority members. Several years ago, Beta Sigma Phi members sponsored a community beautification project by flocking yards with flamingos. Homeowners would donate to have the flamingos removed and moved to someone else’s yard. This effort was so successful that sorority member Pam Hunt suggested changing the flamingos to bees and swarm yards once again. Colorful bees were found, and Blakelynn’s greatgrandfather, Jim Hodge, mounted them on yard stakes. Stroud’s Unique Market assisted with the signage on the bees and have bee items available in their store. Through these efforts Beta Sigma Phi presented the Ellick family with a check for $2,700.
Reports continue to come in on Blakelynn’s progress. Lincoln County is praying that she will make a complete recovery. The family has been overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity shown to them. They are thankful to Beta Sigma Phi for their support and to everyone throughout the county who has made donations.