Editor’s note: This special edition blog was written by JoyRx Music Manager Elke Downer.

What a week! JoyRx Director of Partner Engagement Allyn Cripe and I recently attended and presented at the forty-seventh annual APOSW (Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers) conference, which took place in Chicago, Illinois, from April 8 to 10.

As the founder of JoyRx, I am writing on behalf of my colleagues on the Board of Directors to inform you of a leadership change. After nearly three years as our CEO, and over six years at the company, Danielle York and JoyRx | Children’s Cancer Association have parted ways.

Every February, JoyRx partners with local Joy Maker businesses to celebrate joy all month long.

This year, we teamed up with KATU news, local businesses, and members of the community to raise critical funds for our JoyRx Music, Mentorship, and Nature programs.

When asked to describe five-year-old Randy, Irene’s face always lights up, and her answer is immediate: “He is brave and strong and brilliant.”

On February 8, 2024, JoyRx celebrated our annual Live From the Heart Benefit Concert presented by Texas Children’s Austin, raising over $350k in support of JoyRx programs to serve seriously ill children and their families.

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.

As a PMHE survivor, fifteen-year-old Aaron knows the transformative power of music during difficult moments. That’s why he’s dedicated to giving back to kids like him through the gift of song.

JoyRx Music Digital Live has had a wonderful year of bringing joy to children nationwide through virtual concerts, special events, or one-on-one interactions via tablet.

At just thirteen years old, Connor is known for his compassion. He loves bonding with others, discovering new places, and meeting new friends.

“Connor has a heart of gold,” his dad, Steven, often says.

In partnership with JoyRx, the mission delivery of Children’s Cancer Association, Dick Hannah Dealerships has helped raise $1.87 million for children fighting cancer and other serious illnesses through the JoyRx Car Giveaway.

For JoyRx Music Volunteer Elaina, giving back to the community is a meaningful way to bring Joy to others. At just fifteen years old, Elaina is committed to creating what she calls “a positive domino effect” through her love of music, sharing personalized songs she writes for the children we serve.

November is International Arts in Health month – a time dedicated to promoting and celebrating the important impact that the arts contribute toward health and wellness – and JoyRx Music is getting involved by bringing the healing power of music to pediatric patients at UMass Memorial Medical Center – Children’s Medical Center for their second annual Arts in Health concert celebration.

“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.

JoyRx Music On Demand is evolving! We’re excited to announce that our On Demand music offerings are now available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, on any device, through our kid-directed YouTube channel: JoyRx Kids.

On September 30, JoyRx hosted its annual fundraiser gala, Wonderball, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon, where stories of heroes and Joy abound! It was a night filled with entertainment, inspiring speakers, auction packages, and, most important of all: Joy.

Fiscal year 2023 was yet another year of growth and expansion, and we are grateful to you — our incredible community — for your generous support of JoyRx, the mission delivery of Children’s Cancer Association.

On Sunday, September 24, five Catholic High Schools in the Portland metro area came together once again to walk the streets of Portland to support children with cancer. In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, students from La Salle North Catholic, Jesuit High School, St. Mary’s Academy, Central Catholic, and Valley Catholic teamed up to help raise funds for JoyRx.

Every three minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer.

And that’s why, as the summer draws to a close and we head into autumn, JoyRx, the mission delivery of Children’s Cancer Association, recognizes National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

On August 8, JoyRx hosted an outdoor concert in the sunny courtyard at Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon, where JoyRx musicians, JoyRx-served teens, and guest performers took to the stage to bring Joy to the community.

After over 28 years of delivering the healing power of Joy in the Northwest and beyond, 2023 marks the year it’s official: the JoyRx team is now bicoastal!