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Caroline was a bright light. She fought rhabdomyosarcoma for 2 years and during that time raised funds and awareness for childhood cancer research so that no child would ever have to endure the same battle. This fund was established to continue her fight to fund the most promising childhood cancer research.
2024
$55,233
Funds Raised in 2024
$230,529
Total Funds Raised
Since 2019

The Story Behind This Hero Fund

Caroline was a bright light to all who knew her. She was a fun-loving, sweet and sassy girl who always had a smile on her face and could always put a smile on others. She loved her friends, all things country music (especially Luke Bryan), painting and calligraphy, the beach, playing indoor and beach volleyball, basketball and her sweet puppy Buddy. She was intelligent, creative, kind, funny, and feisty. Above all, she was selfless, even in the middle of the fight for her life, she became an ambassador for childhood cancer - raising awareness and research funding so that no child would ever have to endure the same battle.

In January of 2017, Caroline was diagnosed with Stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive sarcoma that targets soft muscle and connective tissues. Caroline began experiencing pain in her hips and legs, she was an athlete and had just transitioned from volleyball season to basketball season, so we originally thought she may have a sports injury. After five weeks of orthopedic and physical therapy appointments, we had a gut feeling it was more than a injury. We made an appointment to see her pediatrician for blood work, and very quickly found ourselves at the hospital being told our sweet girl had cancer. Soon we learned that cancer had invaded her body. Her prognosis was terrifying, but we believed that if anyone was going to be a miracle, it was Caroline.

Throughout her two-year battle with cancer, Caroline endured over a year of IV chemotherapy, oral chemotherapies, 20 fractions of radiation to multiple sites in her body, cyberknife radiation to the brain, whole brain radiation therapy and six surgeries. She had over 50 blood transfusions, over 35 platelet transfusions and 3 plasma transfusions. Numerous tests, scans, two septic infections, pneumonia and many, many hospital visits. Caroline did briefly go into remission, however after a scan in January 2018, we were told the most devastating news of our lives, our daughter was terminally ill. Caroline fought hard, was brave and an inspiration to us all, each and everyday. She still is. Caroline so sadly passed away early Thanksgiving morning of 2018. This fund was established to honor Caroline and her passion for raising awareness and research funding for all types of childhood cancers.

Highlights & Happenings

  • What is Rhabdomyosarcoma?

    Learn about the symptoms, treatments, and research involved with Rhabomyosarcoma on our blog.
  • Filling The Funding Gap

    Filling the Funding Gap

    Learn about the funding gap that impacts childhood cancer research and how St. Baldrick’s is trying to fill it.
  • What You Should Know About Childhood Cancer

    Childhood cancer affects thousands of kids and families around the world every year. This infographic shows a few realities you should know.

Photo Gallery

Funding in Action

Donations made to the Berry Strong Fund have supported a St. Baldrick’s Scholar Grant for Benjamin Stanton Ph.D. Dr. Stanton is researching treatments for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma at The Research Institute of Nationwide which is affiliated with Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is guided by a Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of leading experts in the childhood cancer community, to ensure that every dollar makes the greatest impact for kids with cancer.

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Who's involved

These people make us smile - they're the doers and money-raisers on behalf of the Berry Strong Fund. They're shaving their heads, hosting events, starting fundraisers and more to make childhood cancer research possible.

Get Involved Your Own Way

  • Create An Event

    Start your own St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event to support our Hero Fund! A dedicated staff member will guide you every step of the way—and you’ll have fun doing something great for kids with cancer.

  • Be a Shavee

    Register to shave your head and support our Hero Fund at any St. Baldrick’s event worldwide! No event nearby? Go virtual and shave anytime, anywhere.

  • Start a Fundraiser

    Not into head-shaving? No problem! Start a fundraiser for our Hero Fund doing something you love—bike a marathon, host a bake sale, anything goes!

This event is private

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Private events are for people at the company, organization, school, etc., where the event is taking place.