Every day, there are almost 800 new cases of childhood cancer around the world. This adds up to an estimated 300,000 new cases of cancer that affect children under the age of 20 each year worldwide. And yet, childhood cancer is vastly and consistently underfunded, with less than 4% of the federal government's total funding for cancer research dedicated to childhood cancers each year.

Josiah and Kaitlyn met in the summer of 2018 amid Josiah's proton therapy radiation treatment. After a long day of appointments, Josiah, his big sister Jakayla, and I had just made it back to the Ronald McDonald House, where we were staying during his six-week treatment. Josiah was playing in the play area when Katie came up and joined him. They instantly bonded, and soon, her mom arrived. We began to chat and share our stories about why we were there. Katie was battling the same type of cancer as our little Josiah—Rhabdomyosarcoma—except this wasn’t her first battle; it was her second. As the summer went on, not only did the two of them grow close, but Jakayla formed a bond with her as well. Katie dreamed of being a mama one day and would carry Josiah around on her hip as if he were her baby.

The following spring, not long after her 10th birthday, Katie’s cancer became resistant to treatment. She passed away just two weeks before Josiah celebrated his No More Chemo. Though their time together was short, the bond they shared left a lasting impression on all of us. Katie’s gentle spirit, nurturing heart, and quiet strength became a source of comfort and connection during one of the most difficult seasons of our lives. Her memory lives on in the hearts of those who loved her—and in the courage she showed every day.

Today, the money you donate has the potential to make a huge difference in the lives of kids with cancer (and their families). Your donation will fund research into safer, more effective treatments and cures. Give today!