Childhood cancer took my best friend and brother, Josh, away from me way too soon. He was full of joy and life and always put others before himself, even on his hardest days. Josh was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at only 8 years old and went through countless rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Both of our childhoods were spent in the hospital, but we were still able to make memories and find moments of happiness amongst all the pain.

Josh went into remission a couple of years after his initial diagnosis. But then, in September 2014, he was diagnosed with a second type of cancer, a brain tumor called glioblastoma. His health quickly deteriorated, and after three months, he passed away on December 16, 2014. Josh was just 13 years old. His cancer took away his opportunity to live the full life he deserved, which is why I will never stop advocating for childhood cancer awareness and research.

To me, childhood cancer awareness means making sure children like Josh are not forgotten. It means recognizing the families whose lives are forever changed by a diagnosis and supporting the research that can give children a better chance at growing up, making memories, and living the lives they deserve. I hope that by sharing Josh’s story I can keep his memory alive and help create a future where fewer families have to experience this kind of loss.

Josh will always be a part of who I am, and I will continue to share his story and advocate for childhood cancer research in his honor.

About Heidi Quist
Heidi Quist is a University of Pittsburgh student and the younger sister of Josh, who was three years older than her and lost his battle with childhood cancer. Heidi became involved with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation while Josh was undergoing treatment, helping raise funds to support childhood cancer research. In 2023, she shared Josh’s story through ALSF and helped fundraise during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. She has continued to support ALSF and advocate for childhood cancer awareness and research in Josh’s memory. Through sharing his story, Heidi hopes to keep Josh’s memory alive and help give other children facing cancer the opportunity to grow up and live the lives they deserve.

Supporting Siblings
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) recognizes that childhood cancer affects the whole family, not only the child who receives the diagnosis. Siblings like Heidi are deeply impacted. SuperSibs is dedicated to comforting, encouraging, and empowering siblings of children with cancer, so they can face the future with courage and hope. Our Comfort and Care mailing programs send age-appropriate mailings over a two-year period that include coping skills and encouragement for siblings as their brother or sister fights cancer. This program can go a long way toward helping siblings find their footing in a new normal and thrive in the future.

Read more about childhood cancer during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month here.