Millie was a sweet six-month-old girl from Hillsdale, Illinois, who loved her family, farm life and bringing smiles to everyone around her. In September 2025, Millie was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive childhood cancer called Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor (MRT). She bravely fought her battle but sadly passed away a short time later.
While Millie’s life was far too short, her love and joy continue to make a difference through The Millie Moo Foundation, which was created to support children and families facing childhood cancer. The Foundation’s mission is to ensure that Millie’s light lives on by helping families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
A Week of Kindness, Awareness and Community
As part of Millie’s MOOvement Week, The Millie Moo Foundation is partnering with the Riverdale School District in Port Byron, Illinois, and the Erie School District in Erie, Illinois, to bring a special week of activities to local students.
Students will receive a Millie’s MOOvement Week kindness bag and passport, with an activity to complete each day. The week is designed to encourage kindness, inclusion, community involvement, childhood cancer awareness and support for local communities.
The daily activities include:
- Monday, September 21 — MOOve with Kindness: Students will complete an intentional act of kindness and fill out a kindness card to return to school.
- Tuesday, September 22 — Millie’s Angel Anniversary / Go Gold for Kids: Students are encouraged to wear gold in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and share their participation using #GoGold4Kids.
- Wednesday, September 23 — Kids MOOve for Kids: Students will make another person feel included or encouraged and complete Millie-themed coloring pages.
- Thursday, September 24 — MOOve to Make a Difference: Students will do something to make their community a better place, including painting and leaving a kindness rock in their community.
- Friday, September 25 — MOOve Local: Students are encouraged to love where they live and support local businesses.
- Saturday, September 26 — One More Walk: Students and community members are invited to bring their completed passports to Millie’s MOOvement: One More Walk in downtown Port Byron. Chalk the Walk begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the walk at 11 a.m.
Local Communities Join the MOOvement
The Millie Moo Foundation is also working with local towns and villages to recognize September 21–26, 2026, as Millie Moo Week through community proclamations.
These proclamations will help unite communities throughout the area in honoring Millie, recognizing Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and encouraging residents to participate in acts of kindness, support their local communities and remember the children and families impacted by childhood cancer.
“Millie’s life was short, but the impact she continues to have is anything but,” said Erin Welker the Director of Marketing, Advocacy and Awareness of The Millie Moo Foundation. “Millie’s MOOvement Week is about taking that love and turning it into action — choosing kindness, supporting our communities, spreading awareness and making sure no child or family facing childhood cancer feels alone.”
The Foundation encourages families, schools, businesses and community members to MOOve with kindness throughout the week and join together on September 26 for One More Walk.
Millie’s MOOvement Week is more than a week of activities. It is a reminder that small acts of kindness can create a lasting impact — and that Millie’s light continues to live on through all of us.
About The Millie Moo Foundation
The Millie Moo Foundation was created in honor of Millie “Moo” DeClercq and her courageous battle with childhood cancer. The Foundation provides support to families facing pediatric cancer, helping with everyday expenses and other needs during an incredibly difficult time. Through community support, fundraising and awareness efforts, the Foundation works to carry Millie’s light forward by making a difference for children and families when they need it most.
For more information:
The Millie Moo Foundation: www.themilliemoofoundation.org
Facebook: Hope on the Farm: The Millie Moo Story
