Shoeleather Journalism in the Digital Age

Shoeleather Journalism
in the Digital Age

Kennedy Headlee continues valiant fight against Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Pancreatitis

photo of Kennedy Headlee
Kennedy Headlee continues to battle through bouts of Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Pancreatitis. (File Photos/DigitalFreePress.com)
Armer Foundation raising funds for Kennedy Headlee’s specialized care
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press

A Phoenix family has partnered with the Armer Foundation and is asking the community for help as their 8-year-old battles cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis.

It started in February 2021, that’s when 8-year-old Kennedy Headlee was hospitalized at Phoenix Children’s Hospital with her first bout of severe pancreatitis. Having been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 1 week old, Kennedy was no stranger to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Over the next year the young girl appeared to be doing better but in April of 2022 things changed again for worst.

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Kennedy had to be admitted to Children’s Hospital in Chicago for another bout of pancreatitis while she was visiting family in Illinois. This time her situation was critical and after a 10-day hospital stay in Chicago doctors were able to get her levels under control and she was brought back to Phoenix.

In May 202, Kennedy was back at Phoenix Children’s Hospital for another bout of pancreatitis. She would go on to have three more bouts of the disease over the next year that all led to hospitalizations.

Wanting to find answers Kennedy’s family started exploring various pancreatic programs throughout the United States and found the pancreas care center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Armer Foundation raising funds for Kennedy Headlee’s specialized care

The Phoenix girl was assessed by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Pancreatic Center in April of 2023 where numerous tests were run, including genetic testing.

Kennedy was found to have a genetic marker (CPA1) that predisposes her to an early onset pancreatitis, along with having cystic fibrosis, which can cause complications within the pancreas. The little girl has been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis but doctors at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital have determined she is candidate for total pancreatectomy, which would remove her pancreas, spleen, appendix and gallbladder.

The surgery is scheduled for September and will require her to stay in the hospital in Cincinnati for 8 to 12 weeks.

But even with good insurance the medical bills are still piling up. The family fortunately heard about the Armer Foundation and how it helps families pay the medical bills of sick children. Kennedy’s parents are now working hand and hand with Armer Foundation to get help get their mounting medical bills paid.

“You never expect it’s going to be your child that gets sick and when you find yourself in that situation it’s incredibly scary,” said Kirstin Headlee, Kennedy’s mom. “We call the Armer Foundation our angel right now because without them helping us and guiding through these emotionally and financially draining moments, I don’t know where we would be.”

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