JoyRx Events
When we gather our joy together, amazing things can happen! Explore our list of upcoming community events below or plan your own.
Live from the Heart - Portland
Honoring 30 years of JoyRx programs and the people who got us here.
Founded in 1995 by the Ellis family, Children’s Cancer Association began with a bold vision: to bring joy and emotional support to seriously ill children. Over the past 30 years, that vision has grown into free JoyRx programs — now in more than 50 sites across 20 states.
Today, with more children facing serious illness and emotional hardship than ever before, the need for joy is growing. Your support fuels innovation, expands our reach, and ensures that no child has to face illness without the power of joy. Join us!
Live From the Heart is our premier gala: a celebration of joy, music, and our mission in the community. Enjoy a cocktail hour, dinner, auction, and an inspiring program that honors our Pearl Anniversary, celebrating 30 years of impact and JoyRx programs.
This year, we’ll celebrate three decades with 30 JoyRx Luminaries, recognizing the leadership and commitment of an incredible group of volunteers with whom we’ve had the honor to share this journey.
To round out the night, we’ll celebrate the power of music to connect and uplift us all, with an exclusive performance from special guest artist Amos Lee!
How to get involved
Host a Table
Become a table host, and invite your guests to join you in sharing support for a great cause! Your table of ten will enjoy dinner and the program together, plus Amos Lee’s unforgettable performance — all while supporting our mission to bring joy to seriously ill children and teens.
Become a Sponsor
Showcase your company to more than 500 invested guests alongside large and small business leaders from across the country and the Pacific Northwest. Become a sponsor and join other engaged, philanthropic organizations committed to creating joy for hospitalized kids.
About the event
Music by Amos Lee
Amos Lee is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter whose unique blend of folk, soul, and Americana has inspired audiences around the world. With a career spanning nearly two decades, his heartfelt lyrics and soulful voice have earned him chart-topping albums, collaborations with music legends like Norah Jones and Bob Dylan, and a devoted fan base. A longtime supporter of Children’s Cancer Association, he has previously performed for children in hospitals with JoyRx Music. His return to Live from the Heart underscores his genuine connection to the mission and the power of music to move and connect us all.
Attire: Party-Ready in Purple or Pearls
As we mark 30 incredible years of delivering joy and hope to children facing cancer and other serious illnesses, we invite you to dress in festive, dressy-casual attire.
Whether it’s a splash of our signature purple, a string of pearls in honor of this milestone anniversary, or simply an outfit that makes you feel ready to celebrate — come as your vibrant, joyful self. Let’s make it a night to remember!
Transportation & Parking
Our gala will be held in the Mark Building, located at 1119 SW Park Avenue, on the northern end of the Portland Art Museum campus. Our friends at the Portland Art Museum are going through exciting changes and construction, which might cause some confusion upon arrival. Please look for our event greeter and our sidewalk sign to indicate that you’re in the right place.
Metered street parking is an option around the museum. These spaces range from 1–4 hours and can be paid for using a credit card or the Parking Kitty app.
There are also surface parking lots and parking garages within 1-4 blocks of the Museum. The closest surface lot is located at SW Main Street between SW 10th Avenue and Park Avenue, with dedicated accessible and van-accessible spaces. This lot accepts credit cards or the Reef app.
Public transit is also an option. The bus and streetcar travel directly past the Museum, and the MAX light rail has a stop only four blocks away. TriMet’s Trip Planner gives you step-by-step travel directions from your location by bus, light rail, or streetcar.
Our recommendation? We strongly encourage event attendees to take Lyft, Uber, or a taxi. If you need assistance or have questions, please contact our team.
Schedule of events
6:00 pm | Doors open and cocktail reception begins
7:30 pm | Dinner & JoyRx Program
9:00 pm | Amos Lee performance
Golf for Joy Tournament - Austin
Join us for our third annual Austin tournament and experience championship golf, dinner & auction, and an inspiring guest speaker. Limited spots are available!
Play alongside fellow golf enthusiasts while investing in joy, hope, and healing for children receiving treatment in local pediatric hospitals. Over the past 15 years, the Golf for Joy Tournament has raised nearly $4 million for JoyRx programs, transforming the treatment experience for children and their families.
Join us for our tournament at Westlake Country Club — one of Austin's premier golf courses. Renowned for its immaculate fairways, breathtaking landscapes, and meticulously maintained greens, Westlake offers a truly unparalleled golfing experience that challenges players of all skill levels while showcasing the serene beauty of the Texas hill country.
Plus, any captain who pays for their team before September 1 will receive a custom L.A.B. putter!
Schedule
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Location: 800 Congress
Cocktail Hour
Dinner, JoyRx Program, and Live Auction
Fireside Chat with Bones Mackay
Monday, November 10, 2025
Location: Westlake Country Club
Welcome and Tournament Overview
Shotgun Start
Happy hour & Awards
Special guests
Keynote Speaker:
Jim “Bones” Mackay
A legendary caddie and golf analyst, Jim Mackay is best known for his 25-year partnership with Phil Mickelson. We can’t wait to hear his stories, insight, and inspiration.
Our Host: Alex Moffat
Actor, comedian, and former Saturday Night Live cast member Alex Moffat joins us once again as our host! Known for his hilarious impressions and sharp wit, Alex will bring energy, laughs, and unforgettable moments the tournament and program.
For more information and to register, please contact Halle Thibodeaux, Senior Development Manager, at HThibodeaux@JoyRx.org.
Golf for Joy Tournament - Portland
Join us for our fifteenth annual tournament and experience championship golf, dinner & auction, awards luncheon, and an inspiring guest speaker.
Fifteen years ago, our friend Gay Davis set out to combine two of his biggest passions: golf and helping kids. What started as a one-man golf marathon has become a world-class event you won’t want to miss.
The Pro-Am
The annual Golf for Joy Pro-Am Tournament will take place from Monday, June 23, to Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the beautiful Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club outside of Portland, Oregon. Players will have the chance to play on both the Witch Hollow and Ghost Creek courses.
Dinner & Auction
Celebrate Golf for Joy with a dinner, inspiring program, and live and silent auctions at this special evening event, hosted at Pumpkin Ridge on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Schedule of Events
Monday, June 23, 2025
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Check-in at Witch Hollow
10:30 am: Lunch available
12:15 pm: Shotgun start
4:30 pm: Birdies and Bubbles cocktail party for players and plus ones
6:15 pm: Dinner & JoyRx Program at Witch Hollow. QA session with Sam Hahn
Sam Hahn
L.A.B Golf, Chief Executive Officer
Hahn’s unconventional background in music and entrepreneurialism has driven L.A.B. Golf’s transformation into a disruptive force in the industry. Under his leadership, the company has achieved nearly 18,000% growth since 2018, solidifying its position as an innovator in putting technology.
All team captains who register by May 15 will receive a custom L.A.B. Putter with L.A.B. representatives on-course to help with fittings.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
6:30 am: Breakfast at Witch Hollow
8:00 am: Shotgun start
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch and Awards Celebration
For more information, please contact Anne Robinson, Director of Development, at ARobinson@JoyRx.org or 503-200-5122.
Live from the Heart - Austin
Thursday, April 17, 2025 | Brazos Hall
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM CST
Save the date for our upcoming Live From the Heart benefit concert in Austin! Check back soon for additional details.
The Event
On April 17, 2025, at Brazos Hall, Grammy-nominated duo War and Treaty will take the stage, delivering their signature soul-stirring performance. Known for their powerful vocals and collaborations with John Legend, Brandi Carlile, and Chris Stapleton, this husband-and-wife duo will bring energy, passion, and inspiration to the night.
Enjoy an exclusive JoyRx program, craft cocktails, a delicious dinner, and an exciting live auction, all while making a difference for local children facing serious illness. Together, we’ll celebrate the power of music to heal and uplift.
Host a Table
Elevate your experience by hosting a VIP table with ten of your friends and colleagues. As a host, you’ll enjoy premium seating, an exclusive JoyRx program, and the best views of War and Treaty’s unforgettable performance—all while supporting our mission to bring joy to seriously ill children.
Become a Sponsor
Showcase your company to more than 500 invested guests alongside large and small business leaders from across the Pacific Northwest. Become a sponsor and join other engaged, philanthropic organizations committed to creating joy for seriously ill children and their families.
Contact Lindsey Sanders, Executive Director, South, to get started as a table host, or to learn how you can make the most of a Live From the Heart sponsorship.
About JoyRx Music
For 30 years, JoyRx Music has drawn on the universal power of music to energize and lift spirits. Our flagship program helps seriously ill children find Joy during stressful and painful experiences related to extended hospitalizations and treatments for life-threatening illnesses.
With kid-prescribed music medicine, our highly trained JoyRx musicians engage children of all ages and diagnoses, allowing them to choose the musical experience that best fits their current emotional place and desired mood.
Mapel Gives Back - Portland
📍 Mapel Boutique, Lake Oswego
📅 April 11, 2025 | ⏰ 3 PM – 7 PM
Join us for Mapel Gives BACK, a special shopping event where fashion meets philanthropy! For one day only, 20% of all full-price sales will be donated to JoyRx, helping bring joy and healing through music to children facing serious illnesses.
🛍 Ways to Give Back:
✨ Shop in-store anytime on April 11 and mention JoyRx at checkout.
✨ Enjoy refreshments while you shop from 3 PM – 7 PM.
✨ Receive a free gift with a $75+ purchase (while supplies last).
✨ Can’t make it in person? Shop online and mention JoyRx in the special instructions at checkout to have your purchase count!
Come shop, sip, and support a great cause. We can’t wait to see you there! 💜
Locations:
If you’ve been looking for more ways to shop local here's your chance to support both a business and local nonprofit to make a difference in your community!
On Friday, April 11, Mapel is generously giving back to JoyRx at all six of their store locations — and online! Whether you prefer to shop in person or from the comfort of your home, you can make a meaningful purchase that supports seriously ill kids.
No matter where you are, you can join in 🛍💜
Ticket to Joy - Car Raffle
Enter the Fifteenth Annual Winter Car Giveaway with Dick Hannah Dealership
For over 15 years, JoyRx has partnered with Dick Hannah Dealerships to bring you the Ticket to Joy Raffle. Dick Hannah Dealerships generously donates a vehicle of the raffle winner's choice (from eight available cars), and all proceeds benefit JoyRx | Children's Cancer Association.
Every ticket purchased helps fund JoyRx’s programs that harness the power of music, mentorship, and nature to serve seriously ill children and their families.
Get your tickets by February 20, 2025. The winner will be announced on KATU Channel 2 News (ABC) on February 27, 2025. You can review the full contest details here.
Bingo Singo
Austin, TX- you’re in for a fun-filled evening of BingoSingo at Patrizi's!
Get ready to sing, dance, and yell "Bingo!" as we play rounds of Singo Bingo with exciting prizes up for grabs. It's a night of good vibes, great food and drinks, while proceeds go to JoyRx!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to have a blast while supporting a wonderful cause. Grab your friends, and join us for BingoSingo Night!
SIP & SHOP FUNDRAISING EVENT
Bridgeport Village celebrates the completion of a multi-year refresh of Oregon’s premier lifestyle and fashion center with the introduction of a new Fall Fundraising event. We invite the community to sip, shop and raise funds for the extraordinary work of JoyRX in bringing pediatric cancer support services to local kids and their families.
Superhero Fun Run at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
Get ready to unleash your inner superhero at the Super Hero Fun Run, hosted by Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa and benefiting JoyRx | the Children’s Cancer Association. This action-packed 5K will take you on a breathtaking journey through the stunning landscapes of the Fazio Foothills, where you’ll run, walk, or fly along the cart paths that wind through the rolling hills and lush greenery of one of Austin's most picturesque resorts.
As you traverse the 5K course, you'll be surrounded by the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. The trail, set against the backdrop of Omni Barton Creek's scenic vistas, offers a unique blend of challenging elevations and serene pathways, making it a race to remember. Whether you're a seasoned runner or simply looking to enjoy a leisurely jog, the stunning views will keep you motivated every step of the way.
What’s Included:
Admission to the Super Hero 5K Fun Run
Superhero T-shirt and medal
A post-race celebration with music, food, and family-friendly activities like balloon artists, a magician and so much more!
Special Features:
Family Speaker: Hear inspiring stories from a JoyRx family
Musical Performance: Enjoy a special 30-minute musical performance
Registration Fees:
Early Bird (Until October 1): $40 Adults | $30 Children (12 & under)
Standard (After October 1): $50 Adults | $40 Children (12 & under)
Self-parking is included
Every ticket purchased supports JoyRx’s mission to help children feel like kids again through music, mentorship, and nature experiences. So lace up your running shoes, gather your superhero squad, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Omni Barton Creek Resort as you run for a cause that truly matters.
Register Now and make a heroic impact in the lives of kids who need it most!
Wonderball Presents: Live from the Heart
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Portland Art Museum | Portland, Oregon
A gala celebration.
Nearly three decades ago, the Ellis Family started something extraordinary for thousands of children across the country with the power of music. Let’s celebrate the heart of our organization by getting back to our roots and gathering our joy to build community and connection.
This year, we’re getting back to the heart of it all: joy, music, & our mission in the community.
Wonderball is JoyRx’s premier fundraising event of the year and an opportunity to celebrate together. This year, we’re thrilled to transform this iconic event with our Live From the Heart benefit series at the Portland Art Museum.
Enjoy cocktails during a happy hour, a silent and live auction, dinner, and an inspiring JoyRx program that highlights our mission and impact. Then, we’ll conclude the night with an exclusive performance from a special guest artist.
Music by Goapele
As an incredible singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, Goapele has solidified herself amongst the most prolific R&B and soulful visionaries and creators of our time. And now, Goapele will take to stage at the Portland Art Museum for an exclusive and unforgettable performance in support of JoyRx.
Get Inspired: Attire
This year, we are going back to our roots. We would love to see our guests wearing any and all things JoyRx purple to celebrate our history of helping kids here in Oregon and across the nation. Let’s wear our joy and let purple inspire the night.
Whether it is purple details and accessories or a head-to-toe purple ensemble — all shades, vibes, and types of purple inspiration are welcome!
Transportation & Parking
Our gala will be held in the Mark Building, located at 1119 SW Park Avenue, on the northern end of the Portland Art Museum campus. Our friends at the Portland Art Museum are going through exciting changes, and construction, which might cause some confusion for arrival. Please look for our event greeter and JoyRx sidewalk sign to indicate that you’re in the right place.
Metered street parking is an option around the museum. These spaces range from 1–4 hours and can be paid for using a credit card or the Parking Kitty app.
There are also surface parking lots and parking garages within 1-4 blocks of the Museum. The closest surface lot is located at SW Main Street between SW 10th Avenue and Park Avenue, with dedicated accessible and van-accessible spaces. This lot accepts credit card or the Reef app.
Public transit is also an option. The bus and streetcar travel directly past the Museum, and the MAX light rail has a stop only four blocks away. TriMet’s Trip Planner gives you step-by-step travel directions from your location by bus, light rail, or streetcar.
Our recommendation? We strongly encourage event attendees to take Lyft, Uber, or taxi cab. If you need assistance or have questions, please contact our team.
Schedule of events
5:00 PM | Doors open and cocktail reception begins
6:15 PM | Special Auction: Art by JoyRx-served children & teens
7:30 PM | JoyRx Program
9:00 PM | Concert & Performance
Joy Makers Event with the Lavender Girls of West Linn
The Lavender Girls of West Linn are celebrating their 17th year of fundraising for JoyRx | Children’s Cancer Association! Join them Saturday, September 21st from 9 AM - 4 PM at the Cascade Summit Clubhouse in West Linn and shop for a great cause!
Choose from a selection of lavender-inspired items including candles, soaps, bath bombs, jewelry, baked goods, and much more.
Bridge City Block Party
We’re delighted to announce that a portion of all proceeds from the 2024 Bridge City Block Party event will benefit JoyRx. We are grateful for this community partnership!
This event is for ages 21+ only.
Please visit their website for more information.
Disco and Red Cube Presents:
BRIDGE CITY BLOCK PARTY
FEATURING
SULLIVAN KING • BOOGIE T • B2B • DIRT MONKEY• DELTA HEAVY • FRED V • BLVCKSMITH
A Statement from our partners at Bridge City Block Party:
We believe in the power of music and community to transform lives and uplift spirits. This year, we are passionately dedicated to increasing awareness and support for those battling life’s toughest challenges. Through our heartfelt partnerships with the Children’s Cancer Association/JoyRx and ALS Northwest, we strive to bring hope, joy, and support to families and individuals in our local community.
Our event is a celebration of unity, compassion, and resilience. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to these two incredible non-profits, ensuring that every attendee contributes to making a meaningful difference. This year, as we bring back our Block Party, we’re more committed than ever. Together, we support the fight against childhood cancer and ALS, turning our personal connections into a collective force for good.
Barton Fest at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
Come visit our JoyRx Austin team at Barton Fest! Stop by to say “hi,” win prizes, and learn about our upcoming Fun Run at Omni Barton Creek.
About Barton Fest
This free outdoor event in Texas Hill Country promises a day full of fun and excitement for the whole family. Our JoyRx team will be onsite to raise awareness for our free community programs, and to celebrate community, music, and connection!
Kids will love the animal encounters, lawn games, and inflatable bounce houses. And don't forget to stick around after the main event for more live music at Barton’s Unplugged in Jim Bob’s Lobby Lounge.
Savor delicious cuisine like smoked baby back ribs and steak sliders while enjoying top selections from local breweries, distilleries, and wineries.Groove to the live sounds of Ruby Dice and explore a variety of unique goods from local artisans at our popup shop, brought to you by ATX Vendor Popups.
Join us for an unforgettable celebration of Texas Hill Country culture!
Joy Makers Event with MOD Pizza
Participate on Aug 14, 2024 by ordering online using the code MODGIVES25 or by visiting this MOD location mentioning the fundraiser at checkout.
Day of Joy
Mark your calendars for Day of Joy! Help raise critical funds by making a gift on February 29.
Any amount makes a meaningful impact for children in need of joy — and gets us one step closer to our goal!
Share on social #bethejoy
Joy Maker Event with Baskin Robbins
Bakin Robbins in Gladstone, OR and Aloha, OR are both celebrating JoyRx all month long by selling Hearts of Joy to customers with their sweet treats.