A Virginia Military Institute 4th Class cadet, Caoilinn McLane, had the honor of introducing the First Lady of the United States when she arrived to Children’s National Hospital (CNH) in Washington, D.C. for her holiday visit in December. According to the CNH website, Melania Trump read a holiday story to a group of children and their families; sat with patients at their bedside; posed for photos; and spent time with nurses, doctors, and support staff. Her visit renewed a tradition that dates back to 1945 when First Lady Bess Truman called on families who could not spend their holidays at home.
McLane, an international studies major from Aldie, Virginia, was originally diagnosed with childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow, when she was 15 years old. She was treated at CNH—50 miles away from her home—as an inpatient, so the hospital became her residence for nearly a year. She returned home to restart her teenage life, but had a relapse a year later, and returned to CNH.
“I had to go back and endure all of the aggressive chemo I had before, in addition to total body and cranial radiation, as well as a bone marrow transplant.” After receiving the transplant from a bone marrow donor found through the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) registry, McLane was able to return home again and try to pick up with her life. In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic was raging and she was preparing to graduate high school, the cancer returned. “At that time, the survival rate of relapsing leukemia was less than 10% and there wasn’t a set medical protocol for treatment. My options were palliative care or participating in a medical trial. I had to research a bunch of trials. I could only be in one, and the doctors were not allowed to advise me, so I had to choose. I was treated with more chemotherapy, radiation, and another transplant. After the transplant, I participated in the RESOLVE trial and I have remained cancer free since the second transplant.”
Though her cancer has been in remission for over five years, McLean has suffered from late-term side effects. Six months before matriculating at VMI, she had a total hip replacement, and prior to that, she had four other major joint surgeries.
It was during her original stay at CNH in 2017 that McLean first met Trump. The hospital opened the Bunny Mellon Healing Garden, named after late philanthropist and horticulturalist Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon, and dedicated to the First Ladies of the United States. “I was in a wheelchair at the time, so they pushed me up on the stage, and I spoke about what the garden would mean to patients. The First Lady and I, along with some other patients, planted a few flowers to start the garden. It was really special. Every time I’ve seen her, she spends a lot of time talking one-on-one to patients and families. She’s truly genuine and gracious. She cares and she’s very sweet with all of the kids.” After that initial meeting, Trump called McLane a few times during her treatment to check on her. McLane has also received personalized greeting cards from her throughout the years.
Fast forward to last November, when McLean heard again from CNH.
“They tried to call me, but VMI rats don’t have cell phones, so they called my mother and told her they wanted me to come back for a holiday event with somebody special. They wouldn’t reveal what the event was or who the special person was, but I was pretty confident I knew,” she said laughing. “I was honored and touched Melania remembered me and wanted me to come back. I felt very special. The holiday event itself was small and intimate. An official White House photograph was taken of the First Lady with me, and we chatted. She remembered I played soccer, and she asked about my mom.”
Attending VMI had been McLane’s goal before she got sick, and admits the physical demands and struggles VMI throws at all the rats, poses additional challenges for her.
“The VMI values like grit, commitment, dedication to service, and giving it your all — even on the hard days — is what got me here, and is getting me through the Rat Line. I’m not giving up on myself or my goal. I’m determined to finish the Rat Line and graduate from VMI.” She is excelling academically, and made the fall semester dean’s honor list.
McLane is a goalkeeper on VMI’s women’s soccer team. The team’s head coach, Jim Robbins, reported she was a walk-on player last fall. “Caoilinn has worked very hard to get her soccer fitness and strength back. She is all heart, commitment, and dedication, and has a no-quit attitude.”
An alumna of John Champe High School, she is the daughter of Elizabeth “Lybbi” McLane, and has two younger brothers. Following graduation, she hopes to work in government intelligence.
According to NMDP’s website, every three to four minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Bone marrow donors are urgently needed. The process to become a donor is easy. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 35, who meets the residential and health eligibility may join the registry. For more information on how to become a donor, go here.
