Two weeks after Collins Watts received her flu shot, she was still not acting like her usual happy self. Her fever kept spiking, she developed flu like symptoms, and she started refusing to walk. Her parents, Caroline and Jon, worried about their daughter's health.
Soon, Collins was lethargic and developed both an ear infection and an upper respiratory infection. Her parents continued to take her back to the doctor's office, asking questions and demanding answers. Collins is normally a healthy child. What could be wrong?
It wasn't until the fourth doctor's appointment following Collins's flu shot that her pediatrician suggested blood work on the nearly two year old girl. Four days before Collins's second birthday, her doctor called her parents to tell them the results were not good and that Collins need to be admitted to the hospital.
The family was taken by ambulance to MUSC. Following a bone marrow biopsy, Collins was officially diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
"It is hard to put into words the pain we felt when they told us they were 99% positive it was leukemia," Caroline says. "I remember begging God to give it to me."
Despite the fears her parents had at the diagnosis, Collins Watts is a brave little girl. Caroline says that when Collins caught her crying following the appointment, she asked, "Mommy, you okay?" That's when her parents knew they had to be strong for their precious daughter. Collins isn't scared and they are going to follow her lead.
While Caroline says they try not to let cancer run their lives, the family recently had to make a heartbreaking choice. Collins's treatments have caused her hair to start falling out and irritating her scalp. When Caroline asked the doctor what to do to help, he suggested they remove the rest of the hair.
Collins's first hair cut was her mom and dad shaving her head.
The Watts family has made their home in South Carolina and are well-known in the city of Florence. Jon Watts is a Lance Corporal with the Florence Police Department and Caroline worked as the Director of Teacher Licensure and the Assistant Coordinator for the Teacher Cadet Program at Francis Marion University, the couple's Alma mater.
Collins, who is nicknamed Tuzie, is a funny and bright child who loves to give hugs and kisses. A compassionate little girl, she is constantly asking the ones around her if they are okay and making sure they are happy. While she loves all of the Disney princesses, she has a new love for Zootopia because the main character, Judy Hopps, is "a police officer like Daddy." She also loves Chase, the police dog, from Paw Patrol.
Despite Collins and her team of doctors working their fastest to kick this cancer, the medical bills continue to rise. Both Jon and Caroline have missed work to focus on their main priority: getting their little girl healthy again.
To help this precious family, a fundraiser has been planned with the assistance of Roger's BBQ. On March 7, from 4-7, plates of BBQ with sweet potatoes, coleslaw, bread, rice and red gravy will be served at the restaurant. There will also be a bake sale going on at the location.
Jon Watts has protected and served our community as a part of the police force. Caroline has helped hundreds of teachers find their way into our South Carolina schools. Little Collins has brightened the day of everyone who has met her. They have been there for us and now, it is time for us to be there for them.
Please purchase a BBQ ticket and show your support and love for this incredible family and beautiful little girl.
Tickets for the BBQ dinner are $8 each. Customers can dine-in or carry-out their meal. All funds raised will go directly to the Watts family to help them during this difficult time.
If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact Anna Patton via telephone at (843) 801-3758.
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
