Our team at the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) continues to grow as we challenge ourselves to provide joy to more kids and teens facing serious illness each year. Recently, we hired six new staff members and welcomed three new interns. Of those six staff members, two are previous CCA volunteers. We’re so excited to have them on the team and know that their expertise will only help to strengthen our mission. Today, we would like to introduce you to Drew Peterson, Database Support.

A bright spot of musical talent in the hospitals is non-other than Emily Rico. With her degree in music and passion for working with children and teens, she never fails to bring a little more laughter and happiness to everyone she meets! We sat down with her to gain insight into what motivates her work and why expression through music is so important for children and teens in a hospital setting.

Sol is the perfect name for this two-year-old ray of sunshine. Sol loves petting farm animals, pretending to be a dinosaur, blowing bubbles with her Chemo Pal, Emily, and her rubber boots.

When the summer sun shines down on Oregon, the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) goes golfing. The seventh annual Golf for Joy event, led by Gay Davis, was yet again an incredible show of community. With the help of our generous partners, donors, and friends, the event has raised an astounding $300K and counting! Below are some of the highlights from the event.

Smiles, laughter, music, nature, kindness, and helping people, these are the things that bring Suzie Moll joy. A native Oregonian with a passion for giving back, Suzie has been involved with non-profits in her community since her 20s. She is an avid supporter of organizations bettering the lives of children and teens, so it’s no surprise that she took an interest in our JoyRx programs.

Irving is a cheerful young man who has crammed a whole lot of living into just 12 years. He’s a talented artist and an accomplished musician who plays guitar and accordion. He loves to listen to music, and when he can he loves to play basketball.

It’s said William Shakespeare first penned the phrase “I will wear my heart upon my sleeve,” but Eileen Shattuck took it to the next level when she tattooed the Children’s Cancer Association’s heart logo on her arm. We are incredibly grateful to Eileen for her support of CCA and inspired to know someone who has so much love and dedication for a cause that we all hold close to our hearts.

The Alexandra Ellis Caring Cabin™ (Caring Cabin) was built in 2006 with the love and dedication of friends, foundations, and businesses. The 2017 refresh was made possible through the incredible support of our Renovation Team, led by Anna Kimmel of Finley Grace Design, who contributed and inspired over $200K in goods and services to make this dream a reality.

On May 30th, the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) had the honor of presenting 12 incredible children and teens the title of CCA Hero at the Celebration of Courage. Their family, friends, and nurses gathered at OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) to celebrate the joy and strength that these heroes embody. It was a night to remember!

The Children’s Cancer Association’s (CCA) “One Day. One Friend.” is an annual, online, peer-to-peer fundraiser that helps fund matches for our award-winning Chemo Pal Mentor Program. This program provides children and teens with a caring, trusted, adult friend to look forward to during treatments, and someone in their corner when they need it most. This year, 22 Chemo Pal Mentors and CCA volunteers shared personal stories about their experiences with CCA and asked their friends and family to support a cause they care deeply about. Together, they raised over $20,000!

What inspires Monse? The brilliant colors of the sunset. As a budding photographer, this creative 16-year-old likes capturing the pinks, purples, and blues that she loves so much. She also enjoys painting, exploring new places, and playing the ukulele.

Each year the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) recognizes 12 local children and teens for their outstanding heroism in the face of serious illness.

Since becoming a volunteer in 2015, Matt Berning has played an amazing 112 hours of music for kids and staff at Randall Children’s Hospital.

Music has always been a big part of Justus’ life. As a toddler, he loved belting out “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on his toy microphone; by age three, he was already starting to sing harmonies.

“He was quite the little ham,” said his dad Jason.

Our staff at the CCA office is always happy to see volunteers walk through the door, but one volunteer, in particular, has befriended just about everyone on the team, attended numerous events and embodies the true spirit of joy in all that he does. Rusty Nelson has been volunteering with the Children’s Cancer Association for the last six years and according to him, there’s no end in sight. We sat down with Rusty to ask him about his time with CCA.

There’s no better way to jump into spring than inviting almost 500 new friends to one of our favorite events of the year, the Get Inspired Luncheon!

Caitlin joined the MyMusicRx In-Hospital team just over a year ago. Already, she’s made a huge impression on the children and teens CCA serves by bringing music to their bedside. We sat down with Caitlin to ask about some of the various aspects of her job and what brings her joy!

When we say that Joshua has a winning smile, we mean it literally — this cheerful little guy actually won a trophy at his school for having the best smile. His contagious grin lights up his entire face and delights everyone around him, from his family to his teachers, to his medical team.

Like many 12-year-old girls, Zoa has pictures of her favorite band, Panic! At The Disco, plastering her walls. Unlike, many girls, Zoa is also battling Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), pre-leukemia bone marrow failure. When Zoa learned that Panic! At The Disco would be coming to Portland for a concert, she told her parents that more than anything, she wanted to see them live.

Chemo Pal Mentor, Lisa Fogg, is quick to share just how lucky she feels to be matched with five-year-old Annabel through the Chemo Pal Mentor Program.