KIMBERLY, Wis. — After a successful battle with pediatric cancer, it was time to give back. The Berghuis family received overwhelming kindness when their daughter went through cancer treatment.
Now at 8 years old, Portia Berghuis spends summer days tumbling in the family’s backyard with her siblings. For her mom, Kelly Berghuis, it’s become a common sight.
But about six years ago, Portia Berghuis was diagnosed with leukemia, and this scene was hard to imagine.
“As you’re going through treatment, you dream of this moment when you can finally take a breath and see her live her life as a normal, healthy 8-year-old girl,” said Kelly Berghuis.
Shortly after her second birthday, Portia Berghuis was diagnosed with cancer. During that scary time, the family remembered an outpouring of kindness.
“When she was first diagnosed, the community, strangers, family friends, everybody reached out to us, and we were taken aback,” said Kelly Berghuis.
Portia Berghuis still recalls a few special gifts she received.
“Some stuffed animals and blankets and some fun things to do,” said Portia Berghuis.
The family had tears of joy when Portia Berghuis rang the bell, signifying the end of her treatment. But they didn’t forget the support they received.
“I always knew we wanted to do something when she finished,” said Kelly Berghuis.
With help from friends and family, they started Portia’s Purpose. The group provides personalized care packages to Wisconsin kids and their families that are affected by pediatric cancer.
“As soon as we hear about a family, we send them a short questionnaire and get to know them personally. It’s just really quick, but it helps us get to know the child, their likes, their interests so we can personalize each basket for them,” said Kelly Berghuis.
Neighbor Alana Scharenbroch wanted to help with Portia Berghuis early on.
“She’s pretty fantastic. She is just vibrant and full of life, and spunky and feisty. She’s also just generous and caring and loving,” said Scharenbroch.
The group raises its funds through a golf outing held in August at High Cliff Golf Course.
Kelly Berghuis said every dollar earned goes back into the care packages. She also thinks children with cancer are probably the “strongest humans out there.”
“They’re just really inspiring, and we just wanted to help keep them motivated during their journey. There are a lot of bumps in the road and a lot of unexpected hospital stays and scary moments. We wanted to bring some light to that part of it,” said Kelly Berghuis.
Kelly Berghuis said because of her age, Portia doesn’t fully understand everything she went through. She said she does hope Portia takes over the nonprofit someday.
“They saw so much love, not only from the hospital but our community and strangers, just everybody. They knew once Portia got out of the dark and through the worst part of all of it, they knew that they wanted to give back,” said Scharenbroch.
As a healthy 8-year-old, Portia Berghuis can now tumble in the backyard and bounce on a trampoline, but Portia’s Purpose still carries on, helping other kids and their families cope with some scary and uncertain times.