We launched JoyRx Music bedside live services in New York City in October 2024, and since then, we’ve been finding our groove in this vibrant, extraordinary city. As such an inherent home to music, New York City has long been the hub for musical movements — and we’re ready to start our own in hospital rooms across the city.

What have we been up to in New York? Read on to find out.

When Kira was twelve years old, she received an unexpected cancer diagnosis. Faced with these new hardships, she found joy thanks to her experience with JoyRx Music and the connection she formed with her JoyRx Mentor.

This article is part of our 30 on 30 series, commemorating 30 years of Children’s Cancer Association in 2025. This month, we welcome a guest blog from JoyRx Music Senior Manager Elke Downer as she highlights the importance of JoyRx Music Digital Live.

A local Austin hospital welcomed JoyRx Music on Friday, October 10, for a fun event for families and staff to enjoy the power of music!

This article is part of our 30 on 30 series, commemorating 30 years of Children’s Cancer Association in 2025. This month, we’re highlighting 30 stories of impact from JoyRx Music.

This special blog was guest-written by Vonara, a JoyRx-served teen and incredible young person. It has been edited for clarity and grammar.  

From Vonara’s own words, this is her experience with JoyRx Music.

Thirty years. Three decades.

On our official birthday, July 25, we reflect on the impact thirty years has made on the lives of children nationwide. How do you measure 30 years?

Even before they joined our organization, JoyRx Music Specialists Chrissy and Monica have always loved music. It’s no surprise, then, that they make for excellent music advocates as part of JoyRx Music. Working together, they’re a force of musical joy, visiting our Austin hospital partners and performing live music for kids.  

Every year, music fills the streets of Austin during SXSW, a festival that unites people through their love of music. And JoyRx Music is right there, too — bringing concert performances especially for hospitalized children at the local hospital to enjoy.

In 2025, we are honoring thirty years as an organization.  As we reflect on the past three decades, we’re humbled to say that we’ve been able to offer free JoyRx programs and create numerous moments of joy thanks to the generosity of many outstanding supporters and champions in the community. 

Join us as we take a look at 30 milestones and key moments that define our first thirty years.  

In November 2024, JoyRx Music Digital Live expanded services with Children’s Nebraska in Omaha, Nebraska.  

The end of 2024 marked an exciting milestone for JoyRx Music: we expanded services in New York City with the launch of live, bedside music programs.

When asked to describe her five-year-old son, Ford, in just one word, Allison’s answer is immediate: curious. But after receiving a Leukemia diagnosis at age five, Ford struggled to feel connected and engaged. That’s when JoyRx stepped in.

On October 2, JoyRx launched Digital Live services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem in New York City. This new team-up marks our fiftieth healthcare partnership and our seventh in the New York area.  

On September 11, JoyRx hosted the second annual virtual JoyRx Music Network Convening, with over 40 attendees joining from across the country.  

JoyRx is excited to welcome Texas Children’s Hospital – North Austin as our newest hospital location in Austin. On June 26, 2024, we launched live, bedside music for children and families in the hospital.

On Tuesday, June 25, JoyRx Music took to the stage to host a summer concert at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.

For children at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Bilingual Musical Storytime is more than just a chance to listen to music — it’s also an opportunity to learn more about their world.

We’re pleased to announce our newest hospital partner for 2024. Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, joined the JoyRx Music Network on May 7.  

It’s been a fruitful fiscal year for JoyRx Music’s programmatic expansion across the country. From Portland to Austin to New York City to Memphis — we’re ending our 2023-2024 fiscal year at the end of April 2024 with 46 pediatric hospital and healthcare partners, including 10 new sites in our network.