Childhood Cancer Foundation, Inc.

The Childhood Cancer Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization located in Volusia County, Florida whose mission is to ensure that no one is facing the diagnosis of childhood cancer alone and to provide financial support to families during the most difficult time in their lives.

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We help the families that are being crushed by childhood cancer. Most times, at least one parent loses their job. Single-parent families go from just getting by to barely making it. We do it because no parent should have to choose between gas money to get their child to chemotherapy or paying the electric bill.

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Every summer since we lost my 19 year old daughter to leukemia, I have shut down my commission schedule to do a significant piece to donate to childhood cancer charities, but it wasn't until I joined forces with the Childhood Cancer Foundation that I felt like I was really making a difference.
 

They were in their infancy when Melissa was in the fight, and they were still able to help us with flights and hotels when we needed to go to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia  when deciding on a bone marrow transplant center. Their track record was much better than those available in Florida, and when it comes to something like that: experience matters!
 

All of the funds they raise stay right here in Volusia County, and go to help with expenses of the families who are actively fighting childhood cancers right now. There were so many moms we met along the way who lost their jobs in order to be with their child. FMLA provides 12 weeks of job protection while you care for a family member, but that's nothing for a leukemia kid whose basic treatment course lasts two and a half years!
 

About 8 years ago, I was blessed with partners in my efforts: Bill and Sarah Blandy of Amish Home Furnishings  have a piece built for me out of maple every year. I work my magic on it and together we donate it to be auctioned off at the Childhood Cancer Foundation’s  Glitter and Gold Gala each September.

I'm so grateful to be able to give back to an organization that not only helped us, but one that has blossomed into a group whose mission is to help local families during the most difficult times of their lives.

Once you’ve walked in those shoes…..