Joy helps kids feel better.
Children fighting cancer and other serious illnesses need uplifting and engaging experiences that bring measurable and immediate improvement to their emotional wellness. That’s why we’re here.
Kids deserve joy, period.
Kids deserve joy, period.
A Mission Founded on Joy & Experience
JoyRx was founded as Children’s Cancer Association in 1995 by the Ellis family after their five-year-old daughter, Alexandra, died of cancer. Together with other caring trailblazers and parents, they set out to create something extraordinary: an organization with a new vision for what pediatric cancer support services look like.
Today, JoyRx helps sick kids feel like kids again through our JoyRx Music, Mentorship, and Nature experiences. With these free-of-charge programs, seriously ill children can laugh, play, and find their joy even during life’s most challenging moments.
Simply put — joy helps sick kids feel better.
We are proud of the impact our donors have funded since 1995, earning status as a GuideStar Platinum-rated charity, a Great Nonprofits top-rated organization, and a three-star Charity Navigator nonprofit — as well as being named one of Oregon’s top ten Most Admired Companies in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, as voted by our region’s CEOs in the Portland Business Journal.
We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors and partners and work hard to maintain the highest levels of transparency and stewardship, as reflected by these accolades.
Our Company & Finances
Meet the team.
Get to know the dedicated JoyRx team — working to bring the power of joy to kids and their families.
Each team member uses their unique and diverse skills to make the world brighter for kids facing the toughest healthcare battles.
If that resonates with you, consider joining us.
Board of Directors
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Board Chair
Vice President of Nike Growth Initiatives
Nike, Inc. -
Owner & President
(w)here inc. -
Owner & President
Terra Firma -
Board Chair Emeritus, 2017 - 2019
Head of Legal & Business Affairs
ShadowMachine -
Founder & Innovation Consultant
Moonshot Molecules -
Partner, Attorney
Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, PLCC -
Founder & Chief Joy Officer
Emeritus
JoyRx | Children's Cancer Association
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Certified Project Manager
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Owner & President of Sales
American Medical Concepts, Inc. -
Board Chair Emeritus, 2008-2010
Co-Founder, In-Focus (Retired)
Founder, Clarity Visual Systems (Retired) -
President & Founder
Trademark Leadership -
Co-owner & CEO
Giant Leap Media Group, LLC
dba Hubbell Communications -
Founder
Breakside Brewery
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Senior Vice President of Operations
NFP -
Physician & Surgeon
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Vice President of Event Creation & Management
Wasserman -
Executive Director
Barran Liebman LLP -
Senior Vice President of Human Resources (Retired)
Legacy Health -
Co-Founder
Honorary Member
JoyRx | Children's Cancer Association
Austin Leadership Council
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Vice President of Development
OHT Partners -
Broker Associate
BucherCopperCollins Real Estate Group -
Lifestyle & Entertainment Host, Producer
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Market Executive
Wells Fargo -
Head of Membership, 508 Club
C3 Presents
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Partner & Executive Vice President
SXSW -
President
PRO-ED, Inc. -
VP, Strategic Communications
Ivanti -
Marketing Project Manager
Change State
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Member of the Board of Directors
Senior Vice President
NFP -
Vice President of Sales
BenefitMall -
Retired
Gallagher Insurance -
Founding Partner
Popular Group
PNW Leadership Council
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Co-chair
Director of Strategic Development
Legacy Health
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Co-chair
Financial Advisor
JGP Wealth Management Group
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Senior Loan Officer
Advantage Mortgage
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Sr. Director, Strategic Partnerships
Oracle
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Finance Manager
Nike, Inc.
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Monster Electrical
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VP & Sr. Trust Officer
Washington Trust Bank
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Attorney
The Standard
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Chief Executive Officer
ARI Health
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Senior Employee Benefits Consultant
JDFulwiler & Co. Insurance
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Sr. Regional Sales Executive
CarePort
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Marketing Manager
BurnCycle -
Head PGA Professional
Willamette Valley Country Club
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Senior Sales Manager
Hilton Portland Downtown
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Co-Owner
Independent Restaurant Concepts
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Principal
Finley Grace Design
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Major Accounts District Manager
ADP
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VP – Shareholder
Kidder Matthews
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SVP
Proud Mary Coffee Roasters
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Director, Clinical Program Management
Cambia Health Solutions
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Managing Partner
Northwestern Mutual
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Tournament Director
Lagadere Sports
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Design Operations Director for Women’s Apparel
Nike, Inc.
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Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams-Portland Premiere
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Licensed Broker
Real Broker
Thrive Realty Group
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Winemaker & Owner
L’Angolo Estate
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Founder & Advisor
Breakaway Advising
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Sales & Operations Planning Analyst
Blount International
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Senior Territory Manager
Straumann
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VP, DEI & Community Initiatives
Moda Health
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Study Site Engagement Manager
Takeda
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Account Manager
TEKsystems
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Divison Lead
TEKsystems
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Founder & Interior Designer
Design With Refinement
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Director of Consumer Lending
Embold Credit Union
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Chief Operating Officer
Rose City Distilling
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Vice President of Sales
Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation
JoyRx Staff
Executive Leadership
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Senior Vice President of Development
What brings you joy?
Early morning bike rides, setting foot in a new locale, home-cooked meals shared with friends, and seeing the world through my son's eyes
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Vice President of Programs
What brings you joy?
Belly laughs; hot coffee; good books; live music; and unexpected kindness.
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Vice President of Finance & Operations
What brings you joy?
Hanging out with my amazing, beautiful daughters!
Finance & Operations
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Development & Program Associate
What brings you joy?My daughter, Chloe, and our pug, Gnocchi. I also love spending time with my friends and family, and enjoying the Portland food scene.
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Database and Prospect Research Manager
What brings you joy?
My wife and my dogs bring me joy! Also, anything outdoors!
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Database and Prospect Research Manager
What brings you joy?
My kids and making a soul happy.
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Senior Accounting Manager
What brings you joy?
Family, friends, camping, and the beach.
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Senior Executive Assistant & Administrative Manager
What brings you joy?
The beauty of nature brings me immense joy...a beautiful mountain, a peaceful grove of tress, a white Caribbean beach...
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Senior Director of Human Resources
What brings you joy?
Spending time with my family, long walks or swims, great books, and appreciation of the little things.
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Senior Accounting Coordinator
What brings you joy?
Spending time with my family, especially when it's all of us.
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Director of Information Technology & Facilities
What brings you joy?
Helping people succeed.
Development & Events
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Director of Music Industry Engagement
What brings you joy?
The way my nephew’s face lights up when he sees me, long walks with my dog when it’s sweater weather, and catching up with friends from around the world when I travel.
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Foundation Manager
What brings you joy?
My daughter, my husband, and my dog Gerald; escaping into a good book with a mug of tea; going to music festivals; playing and listening to music; teaching and practicing yoga.
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Director of Development, PNW
What brings you joy?
Being outside, walking, gardening and golfing. Spending time with my family.
Marketing & Communication
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Senior Communications Associate
What brings you joy?
The simple things in life: a fluffy blanket, a sunbeam through the window, a new leaf on my plants, a purring cat in my lap, boba tea with fresh tapioca pearls, reading a new book, or the sound of ocean waves.
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Marketing & Public Relations Manager
What brings you joy?
Holidays with my family, getting cozy to watch movies with my dog and husband, a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea with a good book, and bumblebees.
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Creative Project Coordinator
What brings you joy?
Dressing nice for absolutely no reason and journaling at a coffee shop brings me joy. Scenery and music bring me joy. Playing volleyball on Monday nights brings me joy. And surrounding myself with a loving caring community brings me joy :-).
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Senior Director of Brand Marketing & Communication
What brings you joy?
Family and friends, short stories, music, the ocean, and cats.
Programs
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JoyRx Music Specialist
What brings you joy?
Walks through Mt. Tabor with my dog, Ellie :)
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JoyRx Bilingual Music Specialist, Bilingüe en español
What brings you joy?
Sharing my love of music.
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Program Data Analyst
What brings you joy?
A long run on a beautiful day with great music!
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Senior Video Content Creator
What brings you joy?
A great story, making someone laugh, and Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
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Director of Partner Engagement
What brings you joy?
Hiking and camping, reading a good book on a sunny patio, and my dog Edgar and cat Douglas Fur.
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JoyRx Music Specialist
What brings you joy?
Spending time with my family, a baby's laughter, children singing, and spending time outdoors!
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JoyRx Music Manager
What brings you joy?
Traveling and going on adventures, playing music, spending time with family and friends, and laughing until I cry!
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Caring Cabin Site Manager
Founder, HonoraryWhat brings you joy?
Spending quality time with family and friends.
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JoyRx Bilingual Music Specialist, Digital Live, Bilingüe en español
What brings you joy?
Connecting with people and watching them feel joy!
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JoyRx Music Specialist, Digital Live
What brings you joy?
Slow mornings with coffee, karaoke, sunsets and sunrises over the mountains, Christmas music, belly laughing with my friends, singing with my parents and siblings, connecting to humans with different cultures and backgrounds, and eating a Mickey waffle at a Disney park.
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Volunteer Coordinator, Programs
What brings you joy?
My book club with my sisters and my dad, watching my nieces grow and learn, talking about/watching hockey with my husband, a nice peaceful morning cuddling with my pup and drinking a hot cup of coffee.
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JoyRx Mentorship Specialist
What brings you joy?
Being with my family- enjoying each others company, seeking out adventures and creating memories.
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JoyRx Bilingual Music Supervisor, Bilingüe en español
What brings you joy?
Playing video games and playing outside with my son, and jamming with my friends!
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JoyRx Bilingual Mentorship Specialist, Bilingüe en español
What brings you joy?
My family, staying active, and all things Christmas!
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Director of Programs, PNW
What brings you joy?
Being a mom and staring at my new baby, Milo.
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JoyRx Bilingual Music Specialist, Bilingüe en español
What brings you joy?
Getting to spread Love and Light through Music!!
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JoyRx Bilingual Music Specialist, Digital Live, Bilingüe en español
What brings you joy?
Spending time with my family and loved ones, adventuring in the outdoors, singing on the top of my lungs in the car, and traveling.
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JoyRx Music Specialist
What brings you joy?
Long walks with a perfect playlist, purring cats, and quality time with family and friends.
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.