JoyRx Stories: Inspiring Moments of Joy and Hope

Every child deserves moments of joy, even in the toughest times. At Children’s Cancer Association, we share real stories of strength, creativity, and connection — from kids and families finding light through our programs to the volunteers, staff, and partners who make these joyful experiences possible.

Are you a member of the media? Visit our Press Room or email Press@JoyRx.org to connect with our team and help share the JoyRx story.

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Financials, Events Guest User Financials, Events Guest User

Sharing the Valentine’s Day Love with the Children’s Cancer Association

Last week we celebrated Valentine’s Day for CCA. More than just a single fundraiser, this was a day where an entire community came together across the Pacific Northwest and even around the world. An event that engaged passionate corporate partners, hospitals, board members and volunteers raising an incredible $604,000 to fund our free-of-charge programs in just one day!

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Music, Mentor Guest User Music, Mentor Guest User

Meet CCA Hero, Veda

Veda is a charming young talent who is truly wise beyond her years. Both compassionate and polite, she’ll greet you with a handshake, a warm smile, and ask how you’re doing today.

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Mentor Guest User Mentor Guest User

The Enduring Power of Friendship

CCA’s Chemo Pal Mentor Program provides kids with a caring, trusted, adult friend to look forward to seeing during treatments, and someone in their corner when they need it most. Chemo Pal mentors play games, listen to music, share hobbies, or simply offer the comfort of companionship, relieving the anxiety, loneliness, and isolation experienced by children in treatment.

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Mentor, Nature, Music Guest User Mentor, Nature, Music Guest User

Meet CCA Hero, Jacob

Seventeen-year-old Jacob Daskalakis has a contagious smile and a zest for life that is apparent the moment you meet him. He loves riding his dirt bike, running, cheering on the Portland Trail Blazers, and making others laugh.

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Music Guest User Music Guest User

Music Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Tim Uecker

An experienced MyMusicRx Volunteer, Tim Uecker has played music for kids battling serious medical illnesses for over 15 years. He started volunteering in 2001 when he was working at a local music shop and heard about the MyMusicRx Hallway Harmonics volunteer music program.

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Music Guest User Music Guest User

Meet CCA Hero, McKenzie

In 2014, life threw McKenzie a pretty big curveball. She came down with what seemed to be a simple case of the sniffles — but was actually a rare virus that caused devastating polio-like symptoms. Twelve days later, she was paralyzed from the neck down.

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Music Guest User Music Guest User

Our Story Is About Epilepsy

At 18-months-old, Colton started having seizures. What began as a mere eye flutter, eventually escalated into 5-hour long episodes and a medically induced coma.

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Press Guest User Press Guest User

Cancer Sucks!

At CCA, we know that for seriously ill children and their families, every moment is precious and we’ve made it our mission to transform those moments with joy. That’s why when Blake was diagnosed with clear cell carcinoma at just 2-years-old, CCA was there to deliver the healing power of friendship and music right to his bedside.

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Financials, Press, Sponsors Guest User Financials, Press, Sponsors Guest User

This Is Why We Bedstock

This #GivingTuesday MyMusicRx proudly presented Bedstock, an online music festival where artists perform from bed in solidarity with sick kids spending the holidays in hospital beds. In just 7 short days, the festival has raised $45,000 and counting, including an incredibly generous $10,000 match from our brand partners, Converse.

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Mentor Guest User Mentor Guest User

Meet CCA Hero, Xavier

If you want to strike up a conversation with Xavier Jackson, just ask him about trains. This friendly nine-year-old will be happy to tell you everything you ever wanted to know, from the different types of engines to the history of locomotion. (It should come as no surprise that he wants to be a conductor someday.)

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Press, Financials, Sponsors Guest User Press, Financials, Sponsors Guest User

Bedstock 3 – Bigger and Bedder

CCA and MyMusicRx are pleased to announce the return of Bedstock, a life-changing, award-winning, music festival where artists perform from bed as a show of support for seriously ill kids spending the holidays in hospital beds. Bedstock takes place on Giving Tuesday (November 29) and it’s going to be “Bigger and Bedder” than ever!

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Music Guest User Music Guest User

Meet CCA Hero, Marcella

Marcella Mercado is a courageous young woman who dances circles around her cystic fibrosis — literally. She loves to dance, everything from hip-hop and lyrical to jazz and ballet. Although her disease requires her to take a few extra precautions, she refuses to let it get in the way of her life.

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Music, Mentor Guest User Music, Mentor Guest User

Meet CCA Hero, Jesse

Ask his friends and family to describe Jesse, and one word always comes up: generous. This thoughtful 18-year-old loves to put others before himself, even though he’s the one who’s fighting leukemia.

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Music, Mentor Guest User Music, Mentor Guest User

Meet CCA Hero, Jazzy

Make way for Jasmine “Jazzy” Soria-Pons! She may be just three years old, but this sassy little girl is already running the show. “One night at the hospital, she got all the other kids out of bed and led them down the hall in an impromptu parade,” laughed her mom Monique. “She’s just a natural born leader, I guess.”

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A white heart surrounded by radiating lines.

Help create Joy with us!

Individuals and organizations can make a difference in the lives of the kids and families we serve through giving, volunteering, partnering, hosting events, and so much more.