DeVyn Coker named new ambassador for USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital
The Coker family hopes sharing DeVyn’s experience may help others who are fighting similar battles: “God knew that she was the strongest of us all. She is the strongest and most gracious warrior we know.”
By Casandra Andrews
candrews@health.southalabama.edu
There are happy moments in life we will never forget. The birth of a child or grandchild. First steps. Weddings and graduations.
And then there are days we hope to never have to endure.
For the Coker family, that day was Friday, March 29, 2024. That’s when they listened as a pediatric oncologist told them their youngest daughter, DeVyn, had a form of cancer that required immediate treatment.
“The room grew quiet, and once we processed the news, it became devastating,” mom Brittany Williams Coker said. “Because of the aggressive nature of the leukemia, they had to hit it hard and fast.”
Just 7 years old at the time, DeVyn was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or ALL. This type of leukemia is not common, accounting for less than half of 1% of all cancers in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. In 2025, there are expected to be about 6,100 new cases of ALL.
DeVyn’s diagnosis meant she needed a port placed in her upper chest immediately to be able to begin life-saving therapies. A high school teacher in Mobile, Coker shared her daughter's news a few days later with family and friends in a Facebook post: “Pray for us as we embark on this journey standing in expectation for miracles, signs, and wonders.”
Since last March, the Saraland Elementary student has endured countless rounds of chemotherapy, 31 spinal taps, and more nights in the hospital than the family can count. Through it all, though, the little girl has persevered, singing to her mom and sisters during treatments, engaging with her care team by playfully pretending to take their vital signs and spreading joy to everyone she meets.
“DeVyn is a ray of sunshine,” her mom said. “She’s the epitome of grace and an example of strength.”
As a testament to her strength and spirit, DeVyn was recently selected to represent USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital as the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Champion for 2025.
As an ambassador, DeVyn’s smiling face will be emblazoned on posters and donation cards on display at local Publix grocery stores, area Walmart and Sam’s Club locations, and other businesses that support specialized care for sick and injured children, including Dairy Queen.
In fact, on March 20, participating Dairy Queen locations in Mobile and Baldwin counties will offer free cones, and for just $1, customers can #DipIt4Kids to support CMN and kids like DeVyn, with 100% of the funds raised going directly to support Children's & Women's Hospital.
In the months since DeVyn began battling ALL, her story has inspired others, according to her mom. “People are turning to God as a result of our faith,” she said. “Some who have never prayed before are now praying for DeVyn. Her diagnosis changed the perspective of a lot (of people).”
Coker, named teacher of the year at B.C. Rain High School in 2024, has been showered with support from colleagues, church members and friends. Before Christmas, when asked what they could do to help DeVyn, Coker instead asked for donations for the hospital where her daughter is receiving care, along with a local camp for children battling cancer. So B.C. Rain High School staff and students collected money in DeVyn’s honor and donated it to Children’s & Women’s and Rapahope.
“The support from the school staff and school board in her absence shows that people really need people,” Coker said. “Our community has rallied around us in ways we could not even imagine.”
Beth Abston, who works in the hospital’s Mapp Child and Family Life Program, first met the family when DeVyn was admitted last March. Since then, she has witnessed how the little girl helps other patients and their parents despite her own struggles.
“She is remarkable,” Abston said. “She is one of those kids who does not let the challenge she is facing change her spirit or drive. DeVyn is always asking about the other kids and has even prayed over them during treatment.”
Coker said she and DeVyn’s father, DuVon Coker, hope sharing their child’s experience may help others who are fighting similar battles.
“God knew that she was the strongest of us all,” she said. “She is the strongest and most gracious warrior we know. Many people have a hero, and I was blessed to birth mine.”
