I was incredibly naive 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 last spring. 

And then in May of 2017... it finally hit my home. My son. My firstborn. 

I am no longer naive. 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.

Through our cancer journey, we have met some of the most incredible people. Family, friends and strangers all stepped in. People we saw weekly at clinic have become the best of friends outside of treatment. 

 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.