Each year, on the first Sunday in June, the US observes National Cancer Survivors Day.

Vice President of Programs at JoyRx, Maura Boyce, recently wrote an article for Healthcare Business Today on the power and importance of music as medicine.

At JoyRx, we’re dedicated to fostering a safe, nurturing, and supportive workplace for our team. In light of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we are committed to strengthening the mental well-being of our staff — because when helping children find their Joy, it’s important that we find Joy, too.    

JoyRx shares our Local Insights with Austin. 103.5 Bob FM radio recently shared a round-up of what JoyRx is up to in Austin, including upcoming events and ways to get involved.

We’re thrilled to announce our newest hospital partner for 2023. Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, joined the JoyRx family in February, bringing our total hospital partners to 33.   

International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.  

International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors, and their families.

Today, on February 4, we at JoyRx, the mission delivery of Children’s Cancer Association, are observing World Cancer Day.

As the impact of JoyRx reigns in Texas, we are thrilled to introduce an extension of our homegrown Oregon leadership with the new Austin Leadership Council, formed by a group of local professionals who believe in the healing power of music.

Here at JoyRx, the mission delivery of Children’s Cancer Association, we’re reflecting on our 2022 year — a year of exponential growth and inspiring expansion across the country.

The past year brought many enhancements to JoyRx Nature’s Alexandra Ellis Caring Cabin to ensure as many families as possible can experience the serene ambiance nature can provide during a trying time. We’re thrilled to highlight these changes — and how they impact families in need of emotional healing.  

Check out the JoyRx success story written by giving platform partner, Classy, on the accomplishment of their 2022 Every Minute Counts (EMC) virtual challenge in April. The feature addresses a challenge most nonprofits face: how to increase partner engagement on a digital platform.

JoyRx, the mission delivery of Children’s Cancer Association, knows it takes more than medicine to treat cancer and other serious illnesses. When a child is facing life’s most challenging moments, they also need emotional healing. JoyRx programs — JoyRx Music, JoyRx Mentorship, JoyRx Nature — light up each child’s life with music, friendship, and rejuvenating trips into the outdoors.

A recent independent literature review by Karyl Askew Consulting proved what we’ve known all along at JoyRx: that music makes sick kids feel better. And not just emotionally — in addition to benefits for mood and mental well-being, music also decreases pain and anxiety. The impact is all-encompassing, benefiting the emotional, physical, psychosocial and developmental wellness of kids in treatment and improving the overall quality of life and hospital experience for patients, their families and even the hospital community itself.  

JoyRx Music began serving Austin hospitals in 2018 and, to date, has transformed through joy the treatment experience for nearly 1,500 kids in seven Texas pediatric hospitals. After years of progress and partnership with local hospitals and the business community, JoyRx Music is amplifying service outreach and impact in the Lonestar state.

Children’s Cancer Association began as one family’s beautiful dream — to bring hope, healing, and joy to children and families facing the unimaginable trauma of serious illness, through specially designed programs, aptly named JoyRx . Thanks to the support of so many, that dream has become a reality: one that has prevailed through 27 years and a global pandemic, delivering JoyRx to more than 10,000 children every year, in 28 hospitals across the country and counting.

When Regina Ellis founded Children’s Cancer Association in 1995, she had no way of knowing the Joyful difference she’d create for thousands of young patients and their families—not only in her home state of Oregon, but in pediatric hospitals across the country. As we celebrate our silver anniversary and 25 years of Joy delivery, we do so with a bold vision for our future—and now, with a new leader at our helm.

Beginning today, Oregonians statewide will see a new round of “Wear a Mask” public service anouncements — this time, starring the masked-up faces of young patients and families served by Children’s Cancer Association. 

As an organization focused on Joy as a pathway to greater emotional well-being, we want to share a few ideas to help you find Joy in this moment.

We are proud to introduce Children’s Cancer Association’s second collaboration with Cultivator, a platform for creators to tell their stories and champion the causes they believe in, using Nike sneakers.