On this fall morning, Juliet’s favorite word seems to be “no” (to be fair, she is two years old.) She’s come into The One Mission Resource Room holding dad Dennis’ hand, and she’s none too pleased about the extra adult visitors staring at her.

“May we take a picture of you?”

“No.”

“Do you want to play with this toy?”

“No.”

Juliet turns a wary gaze on the man unzipping a guitar case.

“Would you like to hear a song?”

“No!”

Undeterred, Music Therapist Mark Fuller starts strumming the strings and singing an improvised “Hello, Juliet” song. The subject of the song stares at him for a few seconds, then breaks into a smile. Soon Juliet is accepting a maraca and playing along.

Just a few short months ago, Dennis and his wife Alyssa were enjoying a perfect New England summer with their children Brayden (age 8), Ellie, (age 6), and Juliet. The family spent lots of time outdoors, camping, swimming, and visiting Davis Farmland Discovery Farm in Sterling, MA.

Mark Fuller, Board Certified Music Therapist wins over a skeptical Juliet with a magical melody.

Juliet’s dad, Dennis, knows she isn’t letting go of her Treasure Chest gift anytime soon.

That all changed in August. Within the space of two days, Juliet went from playgrounds and petting zoos to fatigue, a mysterious rash, and then a devastating diagnosis: acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a rare genetic component.

After starting Juliet’s treatment at a Massachusetts hospital, Dennis and Alyssa realized that she needed more specialized care. They arrived at Boston Children’s Hospital in October. And within a few days, the family members became big fans of The One Mission Resource Room and its programs.

“Juliet loves music therapy,” dad Dennis affirms, though this seems obvious, as she is now banging heartily on a drum while Fuller plays and sings. “And she loves to dance, anywhere.”

When given the chance to pick a toy from the Treasure Chest, Juliet isn’t shy. She grabs a boxed activity set and clutches it close to her chest, smiling.

The One Mission-provided meals are also a big hit with the family.

“We love pizza night, pasta night, sandwiches—it’s fantastic!” Dennis says, adding, “my wife and I switch off, taking turns staying with Juliet, and having dinner provided just gives us one less thing to worry about.”

As for Juliet, Dennis reports that she’s responding perfectly to her second round of chemo, and “she’s still her happy, loving, caring, funny self.”

Thanks to One Mission’s generosity, today “no” has turned to “yes.”