Community Corner

Smiles, Happiness Mark Maleena Hill's Baptism

Baby girl battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia is baptized at St. Mary Catholic Church Sunday morning.

As parishioners of sang the hymn “How Can I Keep from Singing?” one family couldn’t keep from smiling. Rev. Steve Wertanen baptized 8-month-old Maleena Irene Hill today at the church’s 11 a.m. mass.

Maleena, the youngest child of former football coach Jeff Hill and his wife Natalie, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on Dec. 26, when she was just six-weeks old.

Hill of 's football team in the spring of 2011, taking on the huge challenge of turning around a 28-game losing streak and rebuilding community support. He stepped away from that challenge in January to focus on helping his daughter fight leukemia and the

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Today the baby girl was the center of attention as she hammed it up for photographs after mass in her baptismal gown.

“Maleena is doing great,” said Hill. “She is in remission. That doesn’t mean she’s cured but the doctors are very happy with her progress.”

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The baby girl is at the tail end of the worst part of her treatment, Hill said. This past week she began new chemo treatments that she receives at home.

“We’re really grateful to all the people who have supported us,” said Natalie Hill.

through CareBridge to post updates on Maleena's progress. It's also where visitors can sign a guestbook, leave messages and make donations. Visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/maleenahill.


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