Joyful News
Learn about the kids and families we support and the volunteers, staff, and partners who make it all possible.
If you are a member of the media, and you want to connect with our team to help share the story of JoyRx, please email Press@JoyRx.org.
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Joy to Give: Q&A with JoyRx Mentor Tresa
Tresa is one of our new JoyRx Mentors this year as part of the JoyRx Mentorship program, where mentors help seriously ill kids elevate their mood through laughter and play. This trusted companionship and kindship is a cornerstone of the program — and that sense of community is an important value for Tresa as an individual.
Milestone: 100 Mentorship Matches Supported for our 2023-2024 Fiscal Year!
We are thrilled to announce that JoyRx Mentorship has supported over 100 matches as we reach the end of our 2023-2024 fiscal year. Launched in 1999, JoyRx Mentorship is a crucial program for JoyRx, fostering companionship and friendship for children experiencing treatment and hospitalizations.
A New Best Friend: Hadley’s Story
It started with knee pain: Eight-year-old Hadley complained about her knee hurting and her mom, Launa, took her to the pediatrician. At first, it seemed it was only a possible injury from PE or recess.
But Launa could never have guessed the real reason behind her daughter’s pain.
Finding Connection Again: Olivia’s Story
“Olivia is certainly one of the most easygoing humans I have ever known,” Olivia’s mom, Kimmie, said.
It’s an apt way to describe Olivia: she’s a bright and optimistic girl who’s always ready to smile and cheer others on. She loves soccer, dancing, holidays, and her family. She’s always ready to greet others with a big hug.
Celebrating National Friendship Day: How JoyRx Mentorship Creates Joy Every Day
At JoyRx, we believe that Joy is an unlimited resource and undeniable right. And when it comes to friendships, we’ve seen the power of a connection and how it can lead to Joy. That’s why we champion our JoyRx Mentorship program, which fosters and creates friendships for vulnerable children who need Joy most.
The Joy of Volunteering: Q&A with JoyRx Mentor, Ed Burke
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and we at JoyRx, the mission delivery of Children’s Cancer Association, are so grateful for our volunteers. We wouldn’t be able to do our healing without the dedication and kindness of our amazing volunteers.
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.
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.
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.
Giving Hope for the Holidays
The holiday season is over, but we aren’t done celebrating quite yet!
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.)
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.
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.”
Meet CCA Hero, Henry
Henry is a good-natured three-year-old with a serious thing for superheroes and garbage trucks. He faces every day with boundless energy and joy—in fact, the first thing he says when he wakes up is, “Yay! It’s morning time!”
Meet CCA Hero, Holly
Holly is a sweet, quiet third-grader who loves the color purple, practicing the piano, singing, riding her bike, and playing board games with her parents and four siblings.
Meet CCA Hero, Aaron
At 13, Aaron was already a Renaissance man. He played the alto sax. He sang in the choir. He’d even trained in ballroom dancing. And in the midst of it all, he battled leukemia.
Meet CCA Hero, Asher
Asher is a super friendly kid with a smile that’s guaranteed to melt your heart. He loves to dance, play with his siblings (all nine of them!), and sing the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” song with anyone who cares to join in.
Chris Talks about His Son’s Battle with Cancer
A tennis ball sized lump on the head of two-year-old, Graham, led to a diagnosis of Choroid Plexus Carcinoma.
Mason’s Mom Discusses the Impact of a Chemo Pal Mentor
Mason, diagnosed at just three years old, is an adorable boy with a lot of energy. At times, it was difficult for his mom, Diane, to focus on talking to the doctors while taking care of her seriously ill son.
Remembering Caitlyn
Caitlyn’s mom, Shawna, talks with 105.1 The BUZZ about her daughter and 2013 CCA Hero, Caitlyn.
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, creating events, and so much more.