Music has always been a big part of Justus’ life. As a toddler, he loved belting out “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on his toy microphone; by age three, he was already starting to sing harmonies.

“He was quite the little ham,” said his dad Jason.

Our staff at the CCA office is always happy to see volunteers walk through the door, but one volunteer, in particular, has befriended just about everyone on the team, attended numerous events and embodies the true spirit of joy in all that he does. Rusty Nelson has been volunteering with the Children’s Cancer Association for the last six years and according to him, there’s no end in sight. We sat down with Rusty to ask him about his time with CCA.

There’s no better way to jump into spring than inviting almost 500 new friends to one of our favorite events of the year, the Get Inspired Luncheon!

Caitlin joined the MyMusicRx In-Hospital team just over a year ago. Already, she’s made a huge impression on the children and teens CCA serves by bringing music to their bedside. We sat down with Caitlin to ask about some of the various aspects of her job and what brings her joy!

When we say that Joshua has a winning smile, we mean it literally — this cheerful little guy actually won a trophy at his school for having the best smile. His contagious grin lights up his entire face and delights everyone around him, from his family to his teachers, to his medical team.

Like many 12-year-old girls, Zoa has pictures of her favorite band, Panic! At The Disco, plastering her walls. Unlike, many girls, Zoa is also battling Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), pre-leukemia bone marrow failure. When Zoa learned that Panic! At The Disco would be coming to Portland for a concert, she told her parents that more than anything, she wanted to see them live.

Chemo Pal Mentor, Lisa Fogg, is quick to share just how lucky she feels to be matched with five-year-old Annabel through the Chemo Pal Mentor Program.

Last week we celebrated Valentine’s Day for CCA. More than just a single fundraiser, this was a day where an entire community came together across the Pacific Northwest and even around the world. An event that engaged passionate corporate partners, hospitals, board members and volunteers raising an incredible $604,000 to fund our free-of-charge programs in just one day!

Veda is a charming young talent who is truly wise beyond her years. Both compassionate and polite, she’ll greet you with a handshake, a warm smile, and ask how you’re doing today.

CCA’s Chemo Pal Mentor Program provides kids with a caring, trusted, adult friend to look forward to seeing during treatments, and someone in their corner when they need it most. Chemo Pal mentors play games, listen to music, share hobbies, or simply offer the comfort of companionship, relieving the anxiety, loneliness, and isolation experienced by children in treatment.

Our annual Valentine’s Day for CCA live, on-air fundraiser is almost here.

Seventeen-year-old Jacob Daskalakis has a contagious smile and a zest for life that is apparent the moment you meet him. He loves riding his dirt bike, running, cheering on the Portland Trail Blazers, and making others laugh.

The holiday season is over, but we aren’t done celebrating quite yet!

An experienced MyMusicRx Volunteer, Tim Uecker has played music for kids battling serious medical illnesses for over 15 years. He started volunteering in 2001 when he was working at a local music shop and heard about the MyMusicRx Hallway Harmonics volunteer music program.

For the second year in a row, Central Catholic High School students came together to raise funds and awareness for CCA.  In an amazing show of support they raised over $11,000 in 9 days!

In 2014, life threw McKenzie a pretty big curveball. She came down with what seemed to be a simple case of the sniffles — but was actually a rare virus that caused devastating polio-like symptoms. Twelve days later, she was paralyzed from the neck down.

At 18-months-old, Colton started having seizures. What began as a mere eye flutter, eventually escalated into 5-hour long episodes and a medically induced coma.

At CCA, we know that for seriously ill children and their families, every moment is precious and we’ve made it our mission to transform those moments with joy. That’s why when Blake was diagnosed with clear cell carcinoma at just 2-years-old, CCA was there to deliver the healing power of friendship and music right to his bedside.

This #GivingTuesday MyMusicRx proudly presented Bedstock, an online music festival where artists perform from bed in solidarity with sick kids spending the holidays in hospital beds. In just 7 short days, the festival has raised $45,000 and counting, including an incredibly generous $10,000 match from our brand partners, Converse.

If you want to strike up a conversation with Xavier Jackson, just ask him about trains. This friendly nine-year-old will be happy to tell you everything you ever wanted to know, from the different types of engines to the history of locomotion. (It should come as no surprise that he wants to be a conductor someday.)