Sponsored: Portland, OR. This year, the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) was able to serve over 9,000 kids and teens—49% more than last year. The CCA delivers JOY to kids, teens, and their families who are fighting a serious illness. The nonprofit knows that for seriously ill children and their families every moment is precious so it uses music, friendship, play, and resources to create transformative moments of joy. Unlike many organizations dedicated to the worthy goal of someday finding a cure for cancer, CCA is all about creating joy today. CCA is now in the middle of its year-end fundraising drive, CLICK HERE for more information on how to give.
It was all smiles this week as kids gathered around the tree at the CCA family holiday party.
Founder and Chief Joy Officer, Regina Ellis, is sharing inspiring stories about special kids that CCA has served over the past year. She explains, “One incredible kid we had the privilege to serve in his time of need is six-year-old Otto, who after a nearly two year battle, recently completed treatment for neuroblastoma. Otto, also known as “Otto-bot”, is a huge fan of superheroes, and has displayed many heroic qualities himself. His incredible perseverance and determination throughout his journey with cancer even got him recognized as a 2017 CCA Hero.”
“Otto has had to put up with a lot of terrible things, but he never gives up,” his mom, Emily, said proudly.
Regina Ellis says Otto had a lot of support from his Chemo Pal®, Jerry, along the way. Together they spent lots of time playing video games and building LEGO sets, which allowed his mother, Emily the time and space to speak with doctors without isolating Otto.
Donations help keep the CCA program going strong. Gifts of $50 help Chemo Pals fill their activity bag with fun new toys and supplies, and a gift of $2,500 funds activities for an entire year.
Donations that support essential needs and resources through CCA’s Link Program make it possible to cover the cost of things like the airline tickets Otto and his mom needed to go to San Francisco for specialized treatment.
And when Otto was stuck in the hospital and needed to blow off some steam, CCA’s MyMusicRx® team was there with guitars, keyboards, and drums to jam with him at his bedside. Donors can help provide music as medicine for kids going through treatment with a gift of $250 to purchase instruments the CCA in-hospital music carts that help reduce stress, anxiety, and the perception of pain.
“During our toughest times, CCA was there to bring our family the friendship, music, resources, and JOY we needed most,” explained Otto’s mom, Emily.
All of CCA’s programs are free-of-charge to families thanks to the kindness and the generosity of friends in the community who believe that JOY matters.
This video shows how CCA brings moments of joy to kids.
Please CLICK HERE and join us by investing in the healing power of joy today to support deserving kids like Otto and the thousands of other children, teens, and family members who need a dose of JoyRx this holiday season. We believe kids deserve long, wonderful lives. Or, at the very least, short, wonderful lives. We believe cancer sucks. We’ve had it, or loved someone who did. We prescribe moments of joy for kids who are in the fight against all serious illness. We believe joy grows exponentially when it’s used collectively. We are music medicine pioneers. We believe in purple. We know joy comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes – just like the kids we help. We love to laugh. We are not afraid to cry. We spend every dollar wisely. We give hugs freely. We believe in today. We respect our history as a grassroots organization. We embrace our destiny as a global source of JoyRx. We believe these things matter.
Portland, September 10th, 2015. If you couldn’t join the thousands who flocked to Pioneer Courthouse Square for The Standard’s Annual Volunteer Expo, you’re in luck. We’ve got all the information and website links to explore over 125 local nonprofits that could use your time.
A full list of links of nonprofits is at the bottom of our story.
R. Richard Crockett, (left) is the Program Operations Director & Volunteer Coordinator at Chess for Success.
Classroom Law Project is a non-profit organization of individuals, educators, lawyers, and civic leaders building strong communities by teaching students to become active citizens.
The Standard’s Volunteer Expo has repeat participants year after year, here’s a look at some nonprofits which continue to recruit volunteers:
Jenny Bedell-Stiles and Andy Meeks from Friends of Trees
talks with Casey Rhodes and Clark Hays.
Jenny Chu from Literary Arts
New Avenues For Youth volunteers are a hit every year because they dish out the free Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream!
Rachel Randles from Oregon Historical Society
The Volunteers of America recruited some new volunteers!
Special Olympics Oregon has room for coaches and event volunteers.
Newspace Center for Photography promoted its multidimensional photography resource center and community hub for students, working artists, professional photographers, educators, and photo-enthusiasts of all types.
Latino Network’s Edgar Ortega
Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro Area had a colorful display.
The Work for Art’s Community Fund and Arts Education Fund support more than 80 arts and culture organizations every year—encompassing dance, visual arts, music, literary arts, media arts, theater, cultural arts, and arts education.
IMPACT NW drew prospective volunteers who learned that each year over 60,000 low-income children, youth, families, seniors, and adults with disabilities participate in Impact NW’s comprehensive anti-poverty programs.
The YMCA was handing out information about programs.
People who stopped by The Q Center booth were met with a friendly smile.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Oregon Chapter staffers promoted their many volunteer options.
Reps from the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon explained their work on behalf of local cats and kittens.
American Red Cross volunteer recruiters had the trademark red vests!
The mission of the Make-A-Wish Oreogn Foundation® is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Northwest Pilot Project began in 1969 as an all volunteer agency to provide basic supports for seniors at risk of losing their ability to live independently.
Miracle Theatre Group is The Northwest’s premiere Latino arts and culture organization.
Camp Fire offers opportunities for volunteers who like to work with kids.
Bridge Meadows is a multi-generation housing community serving Oregon’s vulnerable populations; foster youth, adoptive parents and elders (55+).
Here’s a list of links to charities at the The Standard’s Volunteer Expo. Please consider donating your time, and tell them PortlandSocietyPage.com sent you!
Portland, Sept. 21, 2013. A superhero themed gala had super-sized results as organizers proclaimed, “CCA’s League of Extraordinary Friends unleash a force of goodness for seriously ill children and teens.”James Mercer of the The Shins, Stephanie Schneiderman, CCA Founder and CEO, Regina Ellis, Patrick Lamb, and Amy Maxwell took the stage to celebrate. (Photo credit, Michael Gary) Portland-based Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) celebrated hitting $1,000,000 for the first-time ever. “For one magical night, the Portland Art Museum was converted into the Hall of Justice and welcomed more than 600 honored super-powered guests,” the nonprofit reported.
Kristen and Shane Schweitzer, 2013 Hero Gala Presenting Sponsors Angela Sheffield and CCA Ambassador Board Chair, CS Sheffield, and Wesley Sheffield
Patrick McCreery, VP, General Manager, FOX 12, and CCA Communications Director, Diana Szymczak
CCA Ambassador Board Member, Aaron Cooper, Innovation Design Director, Nike, Inc., Rob Stone, Co-CEO, cornerstone/The Fader, Lauren Gonzales, Megan Cooper, and CCA Founding Board Chair, Clare Hamill, Vice President and COO, Nike Affilates, Nike, Inc.
CCA Ambassador Board Chair, Kristin Duval, Regional Sales Manager, PacificSource Health Plans, and CCA Founder and CEO, Regina Ellis
The highlight item of this year’s auction was a private dinner with, and concert by, kd Lang and Black Prairie for 50 guests.The appeal raised money to support CCA’s innovative programs that serve thousands of seriously ill children, teens, and their families locally, and reach across the nation, and will fund:
New mobile music carts, instruments, and technology for MusicRx®, CCA’s flagship in-hospital music medicine program which serves six area pediatric healthcare facilities, including Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
Technology to expand MyMusicRx.org, the online extension of MusicRx
Family retreats at the Alexandra Ellis Caring Cabin™ in Pacific City, OR
Wishes and creating unique life experiences through the Link program
Chemo Pal® Mentor Matches for kids and teens undergoing treatment
MusicRx expansion into the pediatric Emergency Room at Randall Children’s Hospital
The Printing of CCA’s Kid’s Cancer Pages, a nationally-distributed comprehensive resource guide for families with seriously ill children
And, more!
CCA Board Chair, Andy Lytle, Division Vice President, Majestic Fine Wines, and his wife, Mary
Chemo Pal Mentor, Brian, and Joe
CCA Board Member, Lisa Thompson, and CCA VP, Development, Dave Schaeffer
Holley DeShaw, Melissa Maag, CCA Ambassador Board Member, Allison Clarke, Kirsti Holley, Antje Fimmel, and Kendra Matthews
Brad Durham, CCA Board Member, Katherine Durham, VP, Marketing & Communications, The Standard, and Paul Gulick, CCA Board Chair Emeritus, Co-Founder, Infocus, Founder, Clarity Visual Systems
Gerardo Carucci, GM Brasil World Cup, Nike, Inc., Tancredi Vitale, Senior Director, Global Nike Sportswear Football Apparel, CCA Board Member, Andrea Corradini, Senior Director, Emerging Markets Running Merchandising, Nike, Inc., Cholee Thompson, Owner, Ryan Artists, Greg Thompson, VP, Global Nike Sportswear Footwear, and, Emanuele Granalli, Seniro Director, Brasil Merchandising, Nike, Inc.
The grand finale!
From CCA:
This event was made possible by presenting sponsor, the Sheffield Family, through a matching grant by The Eranda Foundation, and through the sponsorship of other generous individuals, including: Andy and Mary Lytle, Jeff and Malia Owens, The Standard, Momentus Insurance Brokerage Inc., Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, Regence, Randall Children’s Hospital, USB, HealthNet, Genenetech, Beecher Carlson, Reliable Credit, Cresna, Fred Meyer, Columbia Distributing, Opus Events Agency, CenturyLink, Cigna, ClubSport, D6 Inc., FOX 12 Oregon, The Fuerst Family, Geffen Mesher, Gentech Dentist, Icebreaker, J&M Homes, LAIKA, Moda Health, Portland Trail Blazers, Skanska, Target, and The Clymb.
The Children’s Cancer Association didn’t start with a foundation, it started with a family. One who faced its own battle with serious pediatric illness almost two decades ago in Portland, OR. From that experience came a passionate commitment and focus: To deliver the resources, the friendship and the healing power of music to families facing the same challenges.
Unlike many organizations dedicated to the worthy goal of someday finding a cure for cancer, CCA is all about today. We specialize on the moment, delivering immediate help to kids and teens facing life-threatening illness. When seriously ill children and their families need more than medicine, CCA’s innovative programs create joy one moment at a time.
For more information about the Children’s Cancer Association, contact Diana Szymczak, CCA Communications Director, at (503) 200-5115 or [email protected].
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