Our Hero, Zoe

The theme for this week is hope as the Detroit Lions head into week six of the NFL season.

Meet our newest hero, Zoe Hostetter.

4-year-old Zoe was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, but amidst the darkness of fear and uncertainty, she has learned to shine her true colors: strength, spirit, and a lot of sparkle. 

And the best part? Hope is literally her middle name.

Zoe's room was decorated with all kinds of colorful stickers, blankets, and stuffed animals. Her family did an incredible job making her cold, clinical hospital room feel warm and inviting. We are people who very much value intention, so we immediately noticed the vibrant butterfly stickers flecked around her window. Butterflies symbolize freedom and renewal and hope—which was not lost on us.

“Hope Does Not Disappoint,” Romans 5:2-5.

Zoe's Story:

Our daughter, Zoe Hope, loves princesses, dressing up, and pretend play especially with her three siblings. She will proudly wear her sparkly heels, her clickers, just about anywhere and is quick to show them off! Recently, she’s gotten a new nickname, Princess Strong, and she has more than earned that title.

In November 2025, Zoe was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. What began with fatigue, poor appetite, and a swollen lymph node became a long journey of chemotherapy, surgery, two stem cell transplants, and proton radiation. Her transplants alone meant 63 hospital days this summer. She has now finished proton therapy, with scans and six months of immunotherapy ahead.

There have been stressful moments, painful side effects, and logistical gymnastics for two working parents needing to get to appointments. There have also been dance parties at the nurses’ station, card games with Dad, and a little girl who keeps making her caregivers laugh. Her favorite thing is to play little tricks on the nurses and doctors making them smile even if it’s the fourth trick of the day.

Zoe is wise beyond her years, taking each stepping stone of this journey in stride. She has a heart full of love for her siblings, parents, and grandparents. Even when it would be understandable for her to focus on herself, in her own nightly prayers, Zoe remembers “me and all the people who are sick.”

Our family has a simple word: together. Her brothers, Francis and Dominic, cheer her on through hard moments. Each time before she leaves for a hospital visit, they pace with hands over their hearts, gather their “brave” and transfer it to Zoe’s heart. Hospital stays are a family affair. Baby sister Vera brings smiles, many grandparents take shifts, the brothers FaceTime nightly, and an incredible community surrounds us with prayer. Our Catholic faith sustains us as we learn, day by day, to pray, “Jesus, I trust in you.”

One bright moment was a visit from Aidan Hutchinson and his family. They took time to make Zoe laugh, crown her a princess, and share a moment with us—even while we were wearing Philadelphia Eagles gear! Their kindness meant so much.

We named Zoe Hope for the hope of resurrected life. That name has taken on deeper meaning through this journey, as we have come to radically place our hope and trust in Christ. We continue praying for her complete healing, grateful that the Lord walks with us and sustains us. Mostly we are so proud of our Zoe, who keeps teaching us to be brave, share joy, and love others. 

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Zoe has proven her strength, resilience, and bravery. She has found a way to shine even in the darkest of moments. She is a little glowing sun that reminds us that goodness, joy, and light always prevails. That's why she's our hero.

You can keep up to date on her story here.

Love Always,

Team Hutch