Michigan family of rare identical infant triplets faces new challenge: liver cancer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (FOX 2) - Nine months ago, Stacy Wells and her family welcomed a rare set of identical triplets – but instead of rushing for holiday gifts, they're now spending time in the hospital as one of them has a rare cancer diagnosis.

Stacy Wells and her husband thought everything was just right nine months ago when they welcomed their identical triplets: Konstantina, Valkyrie, and Josephine. 

It felt like hitting the lottery for the blended family.

"The odds of having spontaneous identical triplets are estimated to be one in a million," Wells said. 

A few weeks ago, however, Wells knew something was wrong. Josephine – who the family calls JoJo – had an odd growth in her abdomen. They immediately rushed to the pediatrician's office.

"Unfortunately he confirmed my worse fears," she Wells said.

At just nine months old, JoJo had liver cancer. Last week, she had her first round of chemo.

"It was another shock," she said.

Wells had to step away from her job as she and JoJo spent their days at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. At home, dad, a veteran and Purple Heart recipient, is taking care of the other children.

The family had big plans and dreams but had to put those on pause for now.

"Still in need of a larger home," Wells said. "The public can help us by donating if able."

Wells says she's working to take care of JoJo but what the family really needs is a Christmas miracle.

"My hope is that JoJo will be cancer free. We know that can’t happen by Christmas time, but that’s the biggest thing," she said.

You can donate tot he family's GoFundMe to help baby JoJo here.