Peter describes it like this: “Many of us have done this: You’re not feeling well, and you don’t know why. So, you look up your symptoms on WebMD to see what’s up.” 

Peter was seventeen years old when he typed in his list of issues. He could never have guessed what would happen next.

It was a joyous evening this past Saturday, October 5, as hundreds of our most passionate supporters and new friends came together to celebrate at our annual fundraiser gala, Wonderball.  

Friends and supporters of JoyRx gathered together on Monday, August 5, 2024, at the beautiful Willamette Valley Country Club in Canby, Oregon, to tee off for the sixteenth annual CCA Invitational.

On Tuesday, June 25, JoyRx Music took to the stage to host a summer concert at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.

Tresa is one of our new JoyRx Mentors this year as part of the JoyRx Mentorship program, where mentors help seriously ill kids elevate their mood through laughter and play. This trusted companionship and kindship is a cornerstone of the program — and that sense of community is an important value for Tresa as an individual.

For two sunny days, golfers from the Pacific Northwest and beyond came together at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club near Portland, Oregon, to celebrate the fourteenth annual Golf for Joy Tournament.

For children at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Bilingual Musical Storytime is more than just a chance to listen to music — it’s also an opportunity to learn more about their world.

On Monday, May 20, a joyful group of golfers took to Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club for the fifth annual Golf for Joy Challenge. With the goal to play as many holes of golf as possible from sun-up to sun-down, each swing of the golf club was in support of JoyRx and the children we serve.

We are thrilled to announce that JoyRx Mentorship has supported over 100 matches as we reach the end of our 2023-2024 fiscal year. Launched in 1999, JoyRx Mentorship is a crucial program for JoyRx, fostering companionship and friendship for children experiencing treatment and hospitalizations.

It’s Volunteer Appreciation Month! Founded to celebrate current volunteers and encourage others to join volunteering efforts, this month of gratitude highlights the importance of giving back to the community.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

Friends of JoyRx, the mission delivery of Children’s Cancer Association, gathered on Sunday, August 6, and Monday, August 7, at the beautiful Oregon Golf Club for the fifteenth annual CCA Invitational 2023. The purpose? To help raise critical funds for seriously ill children.   

At JoyRx, we believe that Joy is an unlimited resource and undeniable right. And when it comes to friendships, we’ve seen the power of a connection and how it can lead to Joy. That’s why we champion our JoyRx Mentorship program, which fosters and creates friendships for vulnerable children who need Joy most.