About Our Warrior

Cayde Emerson McNelly was born December 14th, 2023, and from the day he was born, he was eager to prove himself a warrior. Shortly after his birth, he experienced respiratory challenges that led to him being transferred to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). While he was in the NICU it was discovered he had a large hole in the chambers of his heart, a ventricular septal defect (VSD). During those first nights, with Mama and Papa at his side, he proved for the first time his strength and resiliency. Cayde was eventually able to come home shortly after, but the months that followed were marked by frequent illness, respiratory battles, and difficulty gaining weight. Doctors would later discover that what they thought at first was a small VSD was actually quite large, and required open-heart surgery to repair. Cayde underwent surgery and recovered well, but continued to struggle with recurrent illnesses and often needed breathing treatments for support.

 

In April of 2025, after a string of ear infections, Cayde underwent an additional surgery to have tubes placed in his ears in hopes of relieving his constant battles. The tube placement was a success and gave him some well-earned respite and support. Unfortunately, in late June of 2025, Cayde became seriously ill with multiple viral infections, including CMV (cytomegalovirus) and EBV (Epstein–Barr virus). Despite weeks of testing and treatment, Cayde's condition worsened and answers remained unclear. He was brought to UW Health’s American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, where the diagnoses were confirmed. Cayde was diagnosed not just with HLH (Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, a rare immune system disorder that causes the body to attack its own cells) but also T-Cell Lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects T-cells, which are a crucial part of the immune system responsible for fighting infections. Cayde’s fight took him from Pediatric Hematology and Oncology to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

 

In August, Cayde reached remission and was discharged to the Ronald McDonald House in Madison, where he enjoyed some well-earned time with his family, including his big sister, for the first time since he’d been admitted in June. While there, Cayde was still battling his way back from critical illness, relearning how to walk, talk, and eat. Though the time spent there was brief, Cayde made the most of it. He was well-known among both staff and other families staying at the Ronald McDonald house. His positivity was magnetic, and he left an impression that existed beyond his stay. He also attended his own benefit, where he played with old friends, danced to his favorite music, saw some of his favorite caretakers, and enjoyed some of the most delicious snacks, all while celebrating his victories and cementing the Cayder-Tot shuffle into the memory of everyone who came to see him on his day.

 

Unfortunately, almost immediately after, Cayde's condition relapsed, and he experienced both a return of T-cell Lymphoma and a flare of HLH, leading to his immediate return to the PICU. During this time, both the HLH and the T-cell Lymphoma drastically undermined different parts of Cayde's body that had been harmed the first time, leading to Cayde requiring additional respiratory support, as well as full dialysis. In the weeks that followed, Cayde's condition rapidly declined as he battled the HLH, the T-cell Lymphoma, and some newer complications such as TMA (Thrombotic Microangiopathy, a rare condition that causes tiny blood clots to form in small blood vessels, damaging organs and tissues).

 

Through everything, Cayde remained gentle, loving, and resilient. He adored watching his favorite shows, cuddling his favorite stuffies, playing monster trucks with his Papa, dancing with his Mama and big sister Nora, and reminding everyone we had to keep moving forward with his favorite words: “Let’s go.” Even when his life was filled with battles, his spirit never slowed. When the end drew near, treatments stopped working and Cayde's condition rapidly worsened. At that time, we knew, as did his medical team, that it was time to let Cayde rest, but he waited. Cayde waited until he was surrounded by family and friends. He waited until he'd had his time to play with his trucks, do a few last activities with his big sister, give a few final high-fives and hugs to both his family and the staff, have one last dance party in his room surrounded by everyone who loved him, and share one last snuggle with Mama and Papa. In our arms, he closed his eyes for the last time, entirely at peace and wholly unafraid.

 

Cayde is at rest, but his fighting spirit remains, and it's up to us to continue his fight. Inspired by our son’s strength and bravery, we started Raising Shields: The Cayde McNelly Foundation, which began as a group to keep everyone informed on his battle. Our focus is to provide support to families and raise awareness of these rare and dangerous diseases. If this is to be Cayde's legacy, we know he would want it to be one of love, compassion, and strength: to always keep going, to never stop, and to bend down, lift our shields, and stand together because we are always stronger together.

 

To Cayde: we're doing this, Buddy. Let’s go.