Children’s Cancer Association welcomed dear friends and champions to the Portland Art Museum on October 4, 2025, for our 30th Anniversary gala, Live From the Heart. Together, this incredible and generous group raised $1M in support of JoyRx programs!

Intention Setting for Thirty Years

Presented this year by The Standard, our gala started off on a celebratory note. Erin Tamblyn led the night as our host for the evening, accompanied by Dale Johannes of DC Auctions — and from the beginning, there was an electric excitement for what thirty years means.

“Tonight, we are celebrating three decades of JoyRx programs in the community,” Erin told the crowd, to thunderous applause.

This motif became the heartbeat of the night. Thirty years mark our pearl anniversary, and our guests showed that support in their outfits accented with purple (our signature color) and pearls.

With an eye towards honoring the legacy of three decades, there was also excitement for the future. The night was truly an honoring of our past, present, and future.

We welcomed Triston Dallas to the stage, our presenting sponsor, spokesperson, and co-chair of the Pacific Northwest Leadership Council. He brought the room together with that shared mission, remarking on the history between The Standard and Children’s Cancer Association.

“The connection between our two organizations makes sense,” said Triston. “As The Standard and Children’s Cancer Association share a common thread: we’re both organizations that are there for people when they need us most. That’s why I think our partnership has endured all these years.”

The Standard has been a great advocate for us in the past and, as Triston highlighted, we remain a favorite charity among employees throughout the region.

“Many have volunteered as mentors,” Triston said. “Our connection is why our partnership has endured all these years. It’s what continues to attract my fellow employees and I as both volunteers and donors.”

The night also featured an honoring of our JoyRx Luminaries, the individuals who helped pave the way for our organization over the last thirty years through their generosity of spirit, giving, and support.

Jack Pipkin, our Chief Executive Officer, and Regina Ellis, co-founder and Chief Joy Officer, stood together to honor those who blazed the trail for us, lighting the way with their dedication, leadership, and vision.

Each Luminary in the room was asked to stand and receive recognition and gratitude from the room, and there were plenty of cheers, whoops, and even some napkins whipped around like flags in celebration of these remarkable human beings.

With celebration came also the sobering moments, acknowledging the hardship that many families face when journeying down the road of childhood cancer.

Jack delivered a heartfelt keynote speech, emphasizing that while some of the work done can be invisible, or someone’s reason for support might be invisible, that doesn’t make it any less important.

“Whatever your reason for being here with us tonight,” Jack told the room. “I thank you for it. I thank you for bringing it here with you into this room and letting it fill your heart as we gather our intentions and support and care to make a difference together.”

An Unforgettable Performance

We were delighted to welcome singer-songwriter Amos Lee, back to the JoyRx stage as our featured guest artist. Amos has been an incredible partner to the organization, performing at previous events, visiting pediatric hospitals for bedside performances, and recording content for our JoyRx Music channels. For the 30th Anniversary gala, he performed an exclusive set of heartfelt songs, sharing his personal reasons for supporting our organization, too. By the end of his set, there was a huge crowd in the center of the room of people dancing together and celebrating the power of music.

This year’s performance was also extra exceptional because of a very special friend there with him.

Nine-year-old Noemi partnered with Amos in the weeks leading up to our gala to collaborate on a special project. Noemi, a lover of music, had been working on a song dedicated to her sisters and their love for her during her treatment journey.

Through meeting with Amos, who helped craft the musical score, she could put music to her lyrics and bring the song to life. Together, they performed this song for Noemi’s sisters right on stage!

The song, “As You Loved Me,” and Noemi’s confidence and joy on stage with Amos naturally garnered a full standing ovation from the room. There were certainly many teary eyes throughout, too, underscoring the power of music to connect us all, and celebrating Noemi’s voice, gratitude, and love for her family.

The Power of the Ordinary

We also heard from two powerful family speakers during the evening: Alan Guerrero, served by JoyRx programs, and Heidi Bruno, mother to Holly. Both of our honored guests shared remarks on the impact that JoyRx programs had on them, demonstrating the profound importance of joy in the treatment experience.

Alan started us off with his recounting of his medical journey and meeting his JoyRx Mentor, Tom, while undergoing treatment for Leukemia. Alan was raw and honest, explaining that at first, he absolutely did not want to sign up.

“I didn’t want some random dude pitying me,” he admitted.

Thankfully for him, his mother was encouraging (and he’s not one to say no to his mom!), and he soon met Tom. They became fast friends and started playing cribbage together, something that quickly became their go-to activity.

“It was ordinary,” Alan told the crowd. “Looking at it, just sitting together playing a game and chatting about our days could seem almost boring. But in the strangeness and stress of treatment, I craved these simple interactions. It was those mundane moments that made all the difference for me. I finally felt normal.”

For his bravery in sharing his story and his candor in his experience, Alan naturally received a standing ovation, with the whole room cheering him on.

Love is Everywhere

Heidi Bruno, mother to Holly and author of Love is Everywhere, shared her family’s story with gala supporters, too.

“It is both tragic and beautiful to gather with so many of you tonight as we help support children who have been diagnosed with cancer,” she said. “If I am being honest, I wish this gala didn’t need to exist. It’s a painful reminder of how many children, parents, families, and communities are affected by childhood cancer, and just how devastating it can be. Childhood cancer is an awful reality, and because of that, I am profoundly and personally very grateful for the beauty and especially the joy Children’s Cancer Association brings to the lives of those whose world completely shifts when faced with a diagnosis of childhood cancer.”

Her daughter, Holly, found great joy and relief through JoyRx Music, and Heidi shared that seeing her daughter smile and sing in the last days of her far-too-short life made all the difference for her.

Holly’s mantra has always been, “Love is Everywhere.” And that love was evident to see in the arc of Holly’s life.

“Children’s Cancer Association helped us create memories that we cherish,” she said. “When childhood cancer takes your daughter’s life, these memories become everything.”

Her powerful words left the room speechless. Heidi received a standing ovation, and we were all honored to witness her remembrances of Holly.

Gathering Joy Together

The night was defined by our community coming together to celebrate joy and raise critical funds for our programs. With a cocktail hour filled with fun surprises at the mystery gift table, a wine and spirits wall, raffle tickets, and a child art auction, as well as the live auction and paddle raise during our program, there were many opportunities for guests to share their support.

We are so humbled by this show of support. It really is our community — YOU — who serve as true inspiration for our work. No matter what is happening around us or the challenges we face individually, we can all collectively stand up and say yes to transforming healthcare, say yes to helping children, and say yes to joy.

Thank you.

We’re so grateful for our presenting sponsor, The Standard; our auction sponsor, Pacific Office Automation; our VIP sponsors Aetna, ADP, and Fortis Construction; our Joy Sponsors Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, JGP, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, Moda Health, Terra Firma, WA Trust Bank, and Well Rithms.

And we are feeling so inspired by the powerful remarks from our guest speakers (and singer!), who shared their stories with us. Alan and Heidi, you truly honored us with your presence — thank you for highlighting the importance of joy during our darkest times. Noemi — you absolutely rocked it with Amos, and we are so thankful for the chance to hear your voice during this unforgettable performance.

Check out photos (photography by Duane Erickson of PDX Photo Co.) from the night here: