To Peter Tran, a 19-year-old cancer survivor, JoyRx Mentorship program graduate, and artist from Portland, OR, mentorship means connection. A social butterfly, Peter has a wide circle of family and friends, and easily bonded with the nurses and staff at Randall Children’s Hospital who helped him during treatment. Despite his large support system, he still experienced feelings of isolation during hospitalization—until he met his… Read more »
Meet Kira, a bright and musical 15-year-old who has recently completed three years of treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Through long hospital stays, chemo, and a scary side-effect of treatment that left Kira temporarily unable to communicate, Kira and her family found comfort in moments of laughter, hope, and Joy. Here’s a heartfelt letter from Kira’s mom, Sara, about Kira’s cancer journey—and how CCA’s Joy-centric programs provided critical emotional and social support for the entire family, and… Read more »
Tucked among other islands of Micronesia, Kosrae is a remote speck in the middle of the Pacific. Eight-year-old David Kihleng and his family called this tiny island paradise home—at least, they did until they learned that David had T-cell leukemia in 2018. Without adequate care on Kosrae, the family headed first to Hawaii, then to… Read more »
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… Read more »
When Janalyn’s son, Spencer, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma just before his 13th birthday, she saw firsthand how powerful and healing Joy can be. During his first prolonged hospital stay, Spencer shut down. He refused every comfort, interaction, and activity offered—until CCA’s trained MyMusicRx® musicians, Cameron and Jean, walked through the door. “I remember when we… Read more »
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. “September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and we are all-too-aware of the vulnerability of this population,” commented Governor Kate Brown. “We are impressed and grateful that these seriously… Read more »
