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 visit our Press Room or email Press@JoyRx.org.
Looking for more ways to engage? Join the conversation on our social media for behind-the-scenes updates, community conversations, and more.
Filter our blog posts by topic:
Meet CCA Hero, Maria
Maria’s perfect day is spent outside running, playing, and soaking up the sun. But she’s equally happy inside, making people follow silly rules in her favorite board game, Quelf, and reading to her heart’s content. She does a lot more staying inside now, since her Leukemia diagnosis.
Meet CCA Hero, Moxie
Quick-witted Moxie is always ready to make a new friend, whether it’s a kid she met at school, a nurse, or even someone on the street.
Ungrounded By Leukemia, But Not Alone: Phoenix’s Story
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.
The Music that Keeps on Giving at SXSW
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.
Finding Lyla’s Smile
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.
The Big Sister I’ve Always Wanted: Kira’s Story
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.
MyMusicRx in Austin
2019 marks the 7th year in a row that MyMusicRx, Children’s Cancer Association’s (CCA) flagship program, has facilitated live music medicine performances in Austin, Texas.
2018, An Investment in Joy
In 2018 you invested more in the community than ever before. With your help, Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) provided world-class programs to children and teens in the hospital and explored the future of joy in healthcare. 2018 was the year we decided transforming a moment isn’t enough – we need to transform the entire experience.
Five Years of Bedstock
This #GivingTuesday, MyMusicRx presented its fifth Bedstock, the annual online music festival where artists perform from bed as a show of solidarity with seriously ill kids and teens spending the holidays from hospital beds. The festival raised nearly $35,000 for MyMusicRx, CCA’s flagship program, which delivers the healing power of music to seriously ill kids and teens.
Music Heals And You Can Help
A special moment at this year’s Bedstock included a performance by 14-year-old Emily. The song, “In My Heart,” was written in honor of Emily’s 10-year-old sister, Holly, who died last March from a rare form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. Emily’s emotional tribute was inspired by the passion for music that Holly carried throughout her short, beautiful life.
When Pediatric Cancer Needs More Than Medicine
Two days after my daughter’s second birthday, I was handed a teddy bear and told by a doctor, “I’m sorry, it looks like Heaven has blood cancer.” I hate that bear.
Bedstock | Donate to Win
Bedstock is back and heading into its fifth year! This Giving Tuesday, November 27, be sure to tune in at Bedstock.com for the only online music festival where bands play from bed as a show of solidarity with sick kids spending the holidays in hospital beds.
Jack’s Short, Wonderful Life
This is the story of my son Jack’s short, wonderful life, my enduring friendship with Children’s Cancer Association (CCA), and the difference your gifts make in the lives of families like mine. Thank you for your support.
Austin City Limits Music Festival 2018
What better way to end the summer festival season than with Austin City Limits Music Festival? MyMusicRx had two successful weekends down in Austin with the help of our MyMusicRx champs and talented local and national musicians. This festival marks the countdown to our annual #Bedstock online music festival where bands play from bed as a show of solidarity with sick kids stuck in their hospital beds.
Meet CCA Hero, Lyla
Lyla is a charming four-year-old with a smile that’s just as big as her personality. She loves painting, doing puzzles, baking, and reading books about her favorite characters.
Meet CCA Hero, Cyrus
Even though he’s only 10 months old, Cyrus – or “Squishy” as his mom and dad like to call him – is already melting hearts with his giant smile and goofy personality. He’s especially fond of crackers, pickles, the color red, and banging blocks together. Cyrus is not so crazy about diaper changes or having to get chemotherapy for his leukemia, which he was diagnosed with soon after he was born.
MyMusicRx Goes to Travelers’ Rest Festival 2018
It was our honor to attend the 2nd annual Travelers’ Rest Festival, hosted by The Decemberists.
Learn to Play Ukulele with Vance Joy
Vance Joy himself is featured in the short videos explaining how to play simple songs on the ukulele. Those lessons are available now!
Vance Joy Ukuleles for Kids
To help us celebrate the launch of the all-new MyMusicRx.org, Australian singer-songwriter, Vance Joy, has teamed up with MyMusicRx and Kala Brand for the “Vance Joy Ukuleles for Kids” initiative. Children’s hospitals across the country are invited to sign up to receive up to five free-of-charge “Ukuleles for Kids” kits for patients to use during their hospital stays.
Introducing the New MyMusicRx.org
The Portland, OR-based Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) is launching a digital extension of its flagship “music medicine” program, MyMusicRx, which delivers the healing power of music to kids and teens facing cancer or other serious illnesses. The digital service, which is available daily on any device at MyMusicRx.org and at more than 30 pediatric hospitals nationwide, empowers hospitalized kids to shift, plan, and grow through music by utilizing a proprietary mood-shift tool to help them feel better, faster.
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.