Orland Girl, 6, Who Beat Cancer Gives Back Again To Charity That Rallied For Her

ORLAND PARK, IL — An Orland Park girl in remission following a two-year cancer battle has set her mind to supporting kids in positions like hers.

Isla Dorsey, who fought rhabdomyosarcoma, always told her mother Danielle that she wanted to organize a lemonade stand, and last summer, her dream came true. The inaugural event raised $6,000 for Project Fire Buddies, a volunteer-led effort by local fire departments to show support for children battling critical illness and their families.

Isla is ready to raise more, with her 2nd annual lemonade stand set for Sunday, June 22. The stand will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. at 151st Street and Huntington Court in Orland Park. It will feature Manhattan-based MobileGlamSquadParties, a bounce house, face painting, and a Nicky V's food truck. For a donation to Isla's lemonade stand, the MobileGlamSquad will offer a free service, with option of braids or hair tinsel.

Nicky V's will offer a free hot dog to anyone who donates.

Painted Smiles by Karen will offer face painting, and Project Fire Buddies swag will be available for purchase.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation but can't attend, can contribute via Venmo, username @dedorsey.

Isla was diagnosed in May 2022 with rhabdomyosarcoma in her left sinuses, which later spread to a lymph node on each side, and both of her lungs. Following treatment, scans in February 2024 showed no recurrence. To-date, she is still considered as in remission.

While celebrating Isla's win, Dorsey said both she and Isla have not lost sight of all they've been through—and who helped them along the way. Oak Forest-based nonprofit Project Fire Buddies began in 2016, and his since grown to include 140 chapters across 10 states. Volunteers within the participating department dote on assigned "fire buddies," in an effort to lift their spirits. Their efforts are deeply personal, tailored to each fire buddy's interests and family's needs—Taylor Swift, guitars, live music, sports, etc.—designed to lift the weight of their conditions, even momentarily.

Their shows of support ranged from a gift, to a Christmas lights surprise, to helping Dorsey secure a new roof over their heads. Most recently to celebrate her sixth birthday, Isla was escorted to the American Girl Doll store by not one, but several firefighters.

"She showed up to the American Girl doll store with four firemen," Danielle Dorsey said. I don’t know who loved it more—her, or them."

Dorsey recalled how they've been by Isla's side from the beginning.

"When Isla was diagnosed, and she did her first inpatient stay, she made it home for an hour before we had to call the paramedics to take her back in," Dorsey said. "She was there a week."

When they returned home, a Project Fire Buddies flier had been placed in their mailbox.

"I had never heard of them before," Dorsey said, "but from that moment that they took her to the hospital, they have been along on her ride, her journey, ever since."

"They’re not only there for a short time, they’re there for the whole time—the little moments, the big moments. They were there when she rang the bell, birthday parties, her Kick Cancer’s Butt celebration. They're just one of those groups.

"A lot are one and done—but they’re in for the long haul."

Dorsey said Isla is excited to give back to the organization that showed her so much kindness.

"They gave me bath bombs, Dan & Shay concert tickets," Isla said.

"Happy," she said, of how they made her feel.

She's excited to hold her lemonade stand, so she can raise "money to give kids all their toys when they’re sick," she said.

Dorsey and Isla are looking forward to some downtime this summer—a beach vacation, too—and Isla remains in remission. A recent scan caused some concern, but Isla will undergo a repeat scan in a month, and Dorsey believes all will be ok.

"She’s doing really well," Dorsey said. "She’s still considered in remission.

"No upcoming surgeries or anything, which I can say for the first time in a while. Otherwise, she’s doing really well."

"Feelin' good," Isla chirped.

She can't wait to see everyone at the lemonade stand.

"I'm gonna sneak a glass," she said.

Isla's Lemonade Stand is set for Sunday, June 22, from 12 to 2 p.m., at 151st and Huntington Court in Orland Park.