When you hear local 11-year-old Kaia's story, you might take pause and think she's a real life super hero.
She's been battling her arch nemesis—terminal cancer—since 2020 and she's currently winning. Kaia has been in remission three times.
Kaia's father, Jerry Murphy, says his daughter has high risk metastatic neuroblastoma. While she's currently in remission, the cancer is terminal but treatable.
"She went from over 20 spots of cancer to zero. She's had years of chemo. She now takes a pill form of chemo at home to hopefully help keep her in remission," Jerry told the Advocate. "She has had two bone marrow transplants."
Doctor appointments prevent Kaia from being able to attend public school. She is homeschooled and attends Antioch Christian Church on Spencer Road.
"No matter where she goes she is an inspiration to everyone who sees her and gets to speak to her," her father said.
Kaia is on her way to possibly becoming a
"Super Kid" in a comic book.
She's currently a group finalist in a Stan Lee Super Kid contest. You can vote for her at
https://thesuperkid.org/2026/kaia-397e
"One incredible kid will transform into their own superhero identity, star in a new Stan Lee Universe comic book and take home $25,000," according to the contest website.
Two children will have their real-world heroics transformed into superhero identities. One will be voted as the champion of the contest, take home $25,000 and star in their very own limited-edition comic book. The other will be hand-selected by the Stan Lee Universe team to appear in the comic book alongside the champion.
The "Super Kid" will earn four VIP passes to the 2027 L.A. Comic Con, one of the largest pop culture conventions in Los Angeles.
Kaia at the time of this post was in fifth place in her group. She must place first in voting to move forward. She's already moved through top 20, top 15 and top 10 rounds of voting.
Voting in the current round of competition ends Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. (10 p.m. EST).
Kaia has been saving money, her father says. She previously was granted a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and was able to see Joan Jett on stage in Tennessee and meet her in 2022. Jerry says his daughter would also love one day love to go to Disney World or for her family to adopt a brother or sister. Her sister, Abby, had a ventricle and died at just 20 days old.
"I have witnessed her in her bed, sitting up, explaining Paul heading to Damascus to a nurse ... preaching the gospel. She also has a very solid sense of humor. She's very sarcastic and very funny. She is a ball of energy and light wherever she goes and at the same time she also deals with being high functioning autistic."
Jerry says his daughter is a frequent patient at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Kaia is the fourth child able to be removed from a 24 seven pain pump while going through chemo and the antibody treatment.
"Kaia is a very, very strong little girl," he told the Advocate, noting he's so thankful for the hospital because it's given him many years with Kaia.
If Kaia's cancer returns, Jerry says she may have to travel to Texas or Wisconsin for experimental treatment as treatments have been exhausted in Cincinnati.
If Kaia had a superpower what she want it to be?
Sailor Moon is Kaia's favorite superhero because she likes cats. Kaia is also partial to her because "She looks cool in classic anime style. She’s relatable and has an awesome wand that obliterates her enemies. She helps random animals that she finds."
Kaia says she has a love for superheroes because they help people.
"They make sure the bad guys don’t win." Kaia also says she likes watching inspirational things superheroes do.
She'd love to be a superhero herself "To ensure the world is a better place."
If Kaia had a superpower she says she would want to be able to talk to animals.
"Because I could know what’s bothering them and help them all."
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