Children's Cancer Association Launches JoyRx Mentorship® Program in Austin, Bringing Connection and Support to Children Facing Serious Illness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Austin, TX – [September 10, 2026] – Children's Cancer Association (CCA), a national nonprofit dedicated to creating moments of joy and human connection for children and families facing serious illness, today announces the initial launch of its innovative JoyRx Mentorship program in Texas, extending access to critical support services for more children and teens navigating cancer and other serious medical conditions. This program launch is designed to complement the organization's free-of-charge JoyRx Music program, which has reached nearly 60k children within the state of Texas since 2018.
The organization’s JoyRx Mentorship program is provided free-of-charge to children and hospitals, and matches children and teens with trained adult volunteer mentors who offer encouragement and trusted companionship during treatment. The program is designed to support hospitalized or seriously ill children, while equipping parents and caregivers with the time to connect with medical teams, handle other household or family matters, or simply take a moment of respite. Mentors are carefully matched across shared interests, languages, hobbies, and parental preferences, and often forge bonds with children and families that extend beyond the hospital setting.
“When a child is facing a serious illness, so much of family life can become centered around appointments, treatments, and uncertainty,” said Heidi Boynton, Regional Vice President of Children's Cancer Association. “A mentor is a trusted friend who shows up, shares a child’s interests and sees them for the whole person they are, not just for what they are going through. I’m so proud that we are bringing this important program to Texas.”
Texas is home to some of the nation's leading pediatric healthcare institutions. According to Texas Oncology, more than 1,700 children younger than age 20 in the state are diagnosed with cancer annually.
Children's Cancer Association began offering free JoyRx Music programs in 2018, and launched a pilot program to help determine the feasibility of scaling JoyRx Mentorship to Austin, Texas in Spring of 2026. With community support, and ongoing feedback from the initial participants and hospital partners, CCA aims to expand the program with leading healthcare providers, community organizations, and families to increase access to emotional support services that complement medical care.
“After witnessing the difference that JoyRx Mentorship has made for nearly 1,800 families since its inception in 1999, I am honored to help bring JoyRx Mentorship to Texas, and can’t wait to see this program take root and flourish in this incredible community,” says Kacy Smerke, Senior Director of Programs. “We are fortunate to have some of the kindest, most dedicated mentors who show up wholeheartedly for children and families when they need it most. They bring connection, hope, and moments of joy during a time when those things can be especially hard to find.”
The expansion of JoyRx Mentorship to Texas reflects the organization's continued investment in innovative approaches to pediatric support enrichment services for children facing cancer and other serious illnesses, as well as their families. Children’s Cancer Association provides JoyRx Music, Mentorship and Nature programs at no cost to children, families and pediatric partners—made possible by the generosity of donors, foundations, and corporate supporters.
Families, healthcare providers, and potential volunteer mentors interested in learning more about JoyRx Mentorship in Texas should visit joyrx.org or contact Kacy Smerke, KSmerke@JoyRx.org.
A Mission Built on Joy | About Children’s Cancer Association
Children’s Cancer Association was founded in 1995 by the Ellis family after their five-year-old daughter, Alexandra, died of cancer — with a new vision for what pediatric cancer support services might look like.
Each year, our free JoyRx Music®, JoyRx Mentorship®, and JoyRx Nature® programs are shared with over 50,000 seriously ill children, teens, and their families across the nation.
Our trauma-informed programs are based on research and best practices, aligned with child life specialist goals, and are shaped by family feedback. We work closely with care teams to provide engaging enrichment activities that help transform the pediatric experience. Simply put: joy makes sick kids feel better. Learn more at JoyRx.org.
Media Contacts:
Live Out Loud PR on behalf of Children’s Cancer Association
Mary Green
(704) 576-5178
mary@liveoutloudpr.com
Ashley Schlosser
(512) 968-0562
ashley@liveoutloudpr.com