Wanna feel your best?  Help a kid with cancer

JoyRX is a Portland non-profit founded by Regina Ellis, part of the family of a longtime Tom Dwyer client.  Of all the healthy causes she could have taken on, she chose one of the most daunting… bringing joy to kids with cancer.  Along with Music and Nature experiences for the kids, JoyRX’s flagship program is their JoyRX Mentorship program, formerly Chemo Pals.

If you’re ever wondering about how to make yourself feel better about anything, anything at all, this program is for you.  Please consider sharing your time… you’ll get back more than you’ll ever give.  If you can’t give your time the second most valuable way to help is with your money, which you can do here. 

Here’s two case studies for you.  Catch their full stories on the JoyRX website.

“15 years ago, Wendy’s close friend died of breast cancer. “Being able to help my friend was difficult but it just felt right,” Wendy said.  That experience planted the seed for future volunteer work involving cancer… After some research she discovered the Chemo Pal Mentor Program and was hooked.  “People told me they could never do this kind of volunteer work. ‘It’s too hard, too sad, etc.’ Actually, it is the most fulfilling, fun, happy volunteer work I have ever done.”  Wendy’s volunteer ambitions came to fruition when she was matched with four-year-old Lyla. In July 2017, Lyla was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor and has been in treatment since. Wendy recalls the first time they met. “I was both excited and scared when I received the call and when I walked into her hospital room for the first time all of the ‘what if’s’ flooded my mind. After being introduced to her parents I got on my knees and said, ‘Hi Lyla. My name is Wendy and I’m your Chemo Pal. Do you want to play?’ She looked at me shyly, thought for a moment then said, ‘Ok.’ We have been pals ever since. Lyla’s mother tells me that Lyla actually looks forward to her treatments because I will be there. How cool is that?!…”

“Bill Grange loves his job as a Portland realtor and finds joy in golfing, music, gardening, and his family. He’s also a CCA Chemo Pal extraordinaire, having been matched with five Chemo Pals over the past eleven years.  “I heard about CCA when I was transitioning from school teacher to realtor. I was new to the community and had some flexible time, so I wanted to give back,” Bill said… One day, I was driving along the freeway, and there was a billboard with the purple heart again, so I decided to look it up online! I came across the Chemo Pal Mentor program, and it piqued my interest,” Bill remembered.  Bill sat on the idea for a few days, but it wasn’t long before he decided to pick up the phone and call. Eleven years later, he’s still glad he did.  “I made the decision to be a Chemo Pal because having two healthy daughters, I couldn’t imagine being the parent of a child that had to be in the hospital for an extended stay. Serving those in need, who were dealt a bad hand is the least I can do. And there was a voice that kept saying I needed to do it…”

Chemo Pal Mentors give kids a caring, trusted adult friend who is in their corner when they need it most. Their companionship helps relieve the anxiety, loneliness, and isolation often experienced by children in treatment.  

You can reach JoyRX through their website, JoyRX.org.  Believe us, they’re eager to hear from YOU.