I’m volunteering and raising funds with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to support research that finds cures and safer treatments for all childhood cancers, providing hope for children and families facing this fight.

Why? Because cancer is the #1 disease killer of kids. 

I was incredibly naïve in the world of childhood cancer. In the fall of 2015, I met the first person I knew to have lost their child that way. In June of 2016, another friend's son was diagnosed only to have the cancer take him the following spring. And then in May of 2017... it finally hit my home, my then normal 7-year-old, 1st grader.

This cancer he had is relatively rare and accounts for approximately 3% of childhood cancers. His version is Rhabdomyosarcoma of Embryonal and Spindle Cell/Sclerosing subtypes. While having had found his tumor so early on and his diagnosis are incredible, his staging and grouping allowed for us to concentrate on eradicating the malignant cells and, hopefully, decreasing his chances of recurrence by 90+%.

Joey is 7.5 years off-treatment. His hair grew back. He looks and acts 'normal'. He has not only survived but has THRIVED in the years since. The true test remains though: what will be the long-term effects of using adult medications on a child in the years to come?

I am no longer naïve. It COULD (and DID) happen to my family. It did happen to so many people we met at clinic. And, yes, some of them lost their battles while we were there and in the years since. TOO MANY HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES, and they will continue to do so, sadly, unless and until we find a cure.

And, yet... Did you know that only 4% of federal cancer research funding goes towards pediatric cancer? Did you know that in the last 20 years there have only been 3 NEW drugs for our kids but nearly 200 for adults? Our kids received adult chemotherapies with incredible side effects because they just have no other options. In fact, some of the medications Joey received were being used 40+ years ago on adult chemo patients. I am raising money so others like my Joey can have better options available for their juvenile bodies, rather than deal with adult medicines.

I'm raising money to honor the boys and girls we've made friends with through our journey and in memory of those who have been lost along the way.

I am part of #TeamJoey - where we believe that no kid (or their family) should have to fight alone.

This is why I’m teaming up with St. Baldrick’s – the #1 charity funder of childhood cancer research grants – in their 25th year.

Your donation can help ensure that the next 25 years bring hope, progress, and cures. Together, we speed up the progress of saving the lives of these brave children.

Thank you for your donation!