Teams Beans Infant Brain Tumor Fund Shirt

Francesca Ana Kaczynski was born on March 11, 2020 to Andy Kaczynski and Rachel Ensign. She was given the nickname “Beanie” months earlier when she looked like a tiny bean on ultrasounds. That later morphed into “Bean” or “Beans.”

Though she came into this world on the first official day of the global pandemic, her first nearly six months of life were spent happy and healthy in New York City.

She enjoyed long walks in her carrier and napping on her parents after a big meal. Born with hearing loss, Francesca loved to attend speech therapy, “petting” (i.e. grabbing) her cat Ryland, and practicing rolling in her crib from side to side.

She loved seeing her parents and greeting them with the world’s biggest smile and an excited kick when she woke up from a nap. Her infectious smile and joyful presence lit up every room she entered.

One evening in early September, she started vomiting uncontrollably. Her parents took her to a local emergency room, where they were shocked to learn that Francesca had a large tumor in her brain. Their world was shattered. They soon moved to Boston for treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital with one of the few U.S. experts in Francesca’s cancer, Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor or ATRT. About 60 children, mostly under three, are diagnosed with this cancer each year.

During her time in Boston, Beans was able to experience joy even while in treatment. She met the silly geese and ducks that loiter in the parks near the hospital. She visited the Make Way for Ducklings statue in the Boston Public Garden and read the book many, many times.

Doctors and nurses would gasp with joy when they saw her smile as they entered her room. She adored music therapy and had some of her first big laughs playing with a balloon of Elmo, her favorite Sesame Street character, from the hospital gift shop during an occupational therapy session. On Halloween, she dressed up with her nurses in a homemade Pasta Fagioli costume.

Before diagnosis, Francesca’s dad Andy, a political reporter at CNN, had never shared any photos of her with the world. Desperate for help after learning she had cancer, he tweeted about her diagnosis.

The worldwide outpouring of support that followed was far beyond anything the family could have ever imagined. Andy regularly posted updates about Francesca’s journey on Twitter, celebrating small victories and chronicling the days that were pure torture.

On December 24, he asked for prayers for a Christmas miracle. Francesca died that evening.

Francesca’s parents dubbed the incredible community that supported their family Team Beans.

Team Beans has raised over $1,00,000 through various fundraisers for the Team Beans Infant Brain Tumor Fund that Francesca’s doctor at Boston Children’s hospital oversees. Private donations are so important in the pediatric cancer world, where top doctors disturbingly often struggle to obtain funding.

If you’ve donated, sent thoughtful messages of support, bought a shirt or hate, or written to your representatives urging them to pass legislation that will help kids with cancer, you’re on the team.