Each year, Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) recognizes a dozen new Heroes – kids and teens who show extraordinary courage in their battles against serious illnesses. This event, the Celebration of Courage, holds a very special place in our hearts. Now in its 21^st year, Celebration of Courage brings together our Heroes and their families in an intimate and festive atmosphere where our Heroes are honored for their remarkable achievements, endurance, and optimism.

Shaun’s silly antics created constant laughter. He loved playing with trains, construction vehicles, LEGOs, and dinosaurs. But above all, he loved firefighters, perhaps because they embody many of the same qualities he was known for: bravery in the face of daunting circumstances, integrity, strength, and infinite love for family and friends.

At the 2019 Get Inspired Breakfast, 400+ businesses and community leaders joined Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) for a morning of joy, music, and a look at the future of CCA’s joy-based programs. More than $76K was raised and 49 new volunteers offered their time and talents to our Joy Revolution!

The Gibson Showroom was the perfect backdrop for Children’s Cancer Association’s (CCA) first Live from the Heart event in Austin, Texas. 150 people enjoyed an intimate concert featuring renowned musician Shakey Graves. They gathered to celebrate and support the healing power of music, not just for themselves, but for the hundreds of children and teens at hospitals in Texas.

Ten years ago, an idea formed between Children’s Cancer Association’s (CCA) VP of Development, Jennifer O’Bryan, and Genentech’s External Communication and Community Relations Manager, Jenn Klotz. It was Jenn’s first year working for Genentech, and she was looking to create a lasting impact on the community. “CCA’s mission rang true for me. Joy gives people hope. Genentech’s ability to support children and their families facing serious illness by taking them to Blazers games is a reminder to those families that their community is there for them.”

Olivia and Kimberlee are kindred spirits despite being years apart in age. They love art, dancing, and share a passion for the lemonade from McMenamins. Olivia fondly thinks of Kimberlee’s son as a nephew of her own. They’ve also been through a lot together, for seven years, Kimberlee was Olivia’s Chemo Pal.

Volunteers are the unsung heroes of any nonprofit, but for Children’s Cancer Association (CCA), volunteers and specifically our program interns, have a lasting impact on the children and families served. Mariah is one such intern, currently working with the Chemo Pal Mentor Program.

The Pate family lives an active life in the outdoors, backpacking, skiing, and stand up paddleboarding. Their home sits tucked away in the hills near Hood River with the beautiful Columbia River Gorge as their playground. Stephanie and Ben are the proud parents of 12-year-old Elijah and 14-year-old Faith.

Children’s Cancer Association’s 2,800+ amazing volunteers invest an estimated 14,147 hours of their time in our programs and events each year. Volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization: they mentor children, share their musical talent, staff community events, host toy drives, and serve on our leadership board.

First impressions can be deceiving — especially in the case of Amanda. Beneath this polite 16-year-old’s reserved demeanor, there’s a wicked sense of humor — just ask her Chemo Pal, Christina. “She’s so funny,” she said. “The text messages I get from her are hilarious!”

From the start, Phoenix was a lesson in finding the bright spots amongst seemingly insurmountable challenges. “On July 1st, 2007, after 36 hours of labor and an eventual urgent C-section, Phoenix came into our lives smiling,” shared his mother, Rebecca.

Tom, like many 17-year-olds, is a senior in high school, ready and excited to start his first year of college in September. Unlike many 17-year-olds, Tom was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, at the age of 11. Missing school, multiple surgeries, and facing the difficult decision whether or not to keep his leg were just a few of the challenges that he would face during his treatment.

Each year melodies float down Austin’s streets during SXSW. It’s an event that brings people together through their love of music. The same could be said for MyMusicRx’s annual hospital performances, which fill the hallways and rooms in St. David’s Children’s Hospital and Dell Children’s Medical Center with lively music medicine and fun.

Before cancer, Lyla was like any other young girl. She loved puzzles, baking, painting and reading books about her favorite characters. But the trajectory of her life changed when she became increasingly sick.

Kira is a bright and thoughtful young lady with a great sense of humor and obvious love for her mother, Sara, father, Chris, and younger brother, Thomas. She also enjoys reading romance books (“not cheesy romance novels”) and has a passion for school. So, when Kira was told she had to stay at the hospital for testing and eventually treatment for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), she was understandably disappointed that she wouldn’t be returning to school.

2019 marks the 7^th year in a row that MyMusicRx, Children’s Cancer Association’s (CCA) flagship program, has facilitated live music medicine performances in Austin, Texas.

Just try keeping up with Weston. This fun-loving little guy loves to hike, explore, and fly kites. He’s also particularly fond of cheesy bread, strawberry ice cream, and his baby brother, Reid.

MIT and the Center for Excellence in Education recognized him as one of the top 80 young scientists in the world at the Research Science Institute (RSI) and he placed internationally in Chemistry and Materials Science four times from 2015-2018 at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. He spoke at TEDXYouth, met President Obama at the White House, and the MIT-Lincoln Laboratory even named a planet after him. An extraordinary list of awards and credentials for anyone, but especially impressive considering that Arnob Das has only recently graduated high school.

Five-year-old Hannah is an intuitive, lively little girl who loves her dad’s pizza, the color pink, and playing with the neighbor kids — especially cops and robbers.

If you belong to a corporate or community group that engages in volunteer opportunities, we have many ways in which your team can help. Our volunteer groups make an immeasurable impact on the children and teens we serve. Learn more about the opportunities below.