Happiness & Heartbreak: Life as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse
FINDING A HOME IN NURSING For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to work in pediatric oncology and help kids with cancer. When I started my freshman year of college, I had my sights set on becoming a pediatric oncologist. My head was filled with visions of helping little warriors fight big battles. It wasn’t long before I realized those visions and dreams in my head were more focused on the job a nurse does rather than a doctor. So, I found my home in nursing and still dreamed of working with the same population. Fast forward to present day and I’m doing just that! HEARTBREAK AND HAPPINESS In honor of National Nurses Day, I was asked to write this blog about what it’s like to be a pediatric oncology nurse. Most people would say my job is sad. They would be right some days. Others would say it’s inspiring. They would also be right some days. I would say, if you ever felt...
Volunteering For A Cure
INSPIRED TO VOLUNTEER Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes. The nonprofit industry as a whole is very inspiring to me, and there are so many organizations making a difference in the lives of many people and the communities in which we serve. I believe volunteering is at the very core of being a human being. I am so thankful to have been asked by Cindi Bonner, the director of Rally Pensacola, to serve as a volunteer. The moment Cindi introduced me to Rally Kid Carolyn, who was battling bone cancer and fighting for her life, I knew I would do whatever I could to help find a cure for childhood cancer. I am continuously inspired by Carolyn and the other precious children I meet who are facing this horrible disease. It motivates me to give and serve even more. FOUR YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING I have been volunteering with Rally Pensacola since February 2017. Over the past four years, I have...
Childhood Cancer Superheroes
In the fight against childhood cancer, there are many superheroes. In honor of National Superhero Day, we’d like to recognize some of ours! RALLY KIDS Our Rally Kids are fighting cancer with superhuman strength. Their bravery and resilience never cease to amaze—and their stories always inspire. Meet more of these cancer warriors at the link below.VOLUNTEERS Volunteers are the heart of Rally’s mission, selflessly giving their time and talents to make our work possible. Ready to join forces with Rally to defeat childhood cancer? Please complete the form below to get started!COMMUNITY PARTNERS From raising awareness and hosting fundraising events to providing support for our Rally Kids and families, community partners make a huge impact. You don’t have to be a caped crusader to save lives. Your business can make a difference too! Click below for details.ADVOCATES Our advocates...
Rally’s Counseling Program: Healing Childhood Cancer Families on Their Journey to the Bell
The childhood cancer journey takes an emotional and psychological toll on the whole family. For this second post in the Journey to the Bell blog series, I had the privilege of speaking to Rally Kid Briley’s mom about the positive impact of Rally’s Counseling Program. Briley was 7 when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia—the most common type of blood cancer found in kids. Her diagnosis date of April 11, 2018 was also her brother’s 11th birthday. Even though Briley finished treatment in September 2020, that does not mean she or her family members are back to their normal lives. Briley’s mother, Brigitte, describes her daughter as the perfect patient who never complained and always put on a brave face when asked how she was doing. Briley has a more reserved personality, and it is often challenging for her to express her true feelings. Early in Briley’s cancer journey,...
The New England Journal of Medicine
Chills ran up and down my arms when I opened the link that Rally-funded researcher Dr. Gregory Friedman sent. I was staring at the New England Journal of Medicine logo, an article about Dr. Friedman’s brain cancer research and an acknowledgement to Rally for our support. “As a young investigator in 2013, I received my first grant directly supporting my lab research from Rally. The support enabled us to obtain the critical preclinical data needed for FDA approval to conduct the first pediatric trial of the therapy in recurrent high-grade gliomas,” shared Dr. Friedman. This week Dr. Friedman’s research was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the most prestigious—if not the most prestigious—medical journals in the world. I often say at Rally we like to fund early, aren’t afraid of outside the box ideas and as long as the research is making progress, we will stick with...
Rally Good Meals: Feeding Childhood Cancer Families on Their Journey to the Bell
Rally not only impacts the lives of children with cancer, but the lives of their whole families. I know this because I am the sister of a Rally Kid. My name is Catherine Barr. My sister, Sarah, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma—a type of bone cancer—in 2009 at the age of 12. I was 11 at the time. Sarah fought bravely for seven and a half years. She passed away in 2016. Sarah was so gentle and kind, all while being the biggest nerd. She excelled in school and wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. Her family and her faith were the most important things to her. Despite the hardships she endured, Sarah remained joyful and selfless. She is my hero and inspiration. I am currently in my last semester at Georgia College & State University. When I found out I could select a nonprofit to work with for my senior capstone project, I knew it had to be Rally! I was thrilled to have...
Happiness & Heartbreak: Life as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse
FINDING A HOME IN NURSING For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to work in pediatric oncology and help kids with cancer. When I started my freshman year of college, I had my sights set on becoming a pediatric oncologist. My head was filled with visions of helping little warriors fight big battles. It wasn’t long before I realized those visions and dreams in my head were more focused on the job a nurse does rather than a doctor. So, I found my home in nursing and still dreamed of working...
Volunteering For A Cure
INSPIRED TO VOLUNTEER Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes. The nonprofit industry as a whole is very inspiring to me, and there are so many organizations making a difference in the lives of many people and the communities in which we serve. I believe volunteering is at the very core of being a human being. I am so thankful to have been asked by Cindi Bonner, the director of Rally Pensacola, to serve as a volunteer. The moment Cindi introduced me to Rally Kid Carolyn, who was battling...
Childhood Cancer Superheroes
In the fight against childhood cancer, there are many superheroes. In honor of National Superhero Day, we’d like to recognize some of ours! RALLY KIDS Our Rally Kids are fighting cancer with superhuman strength. Their bravery and resilience never cease to amaze—and their stories always inspire. Meet more of these cancer warriors at the link below.VOLUNTEERS Volunteers are the heart of Rally’s mission, selflessly giving their time and talents to make our work possible. Ready to join forces with...
Rally’s Counseling Program: Healing Childhood Cancer Families on Their Journey to the Bell
The childhood cancer journey takes an emotional and psychological toll on the whole family. For this second post in the Journey to the Bell blog series, I had the privilege of speaking to Rally Kid Briley’s mom about the positive impact of Rally’s Counseling Program. Briley was 7 when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia—the most common type of blood cancer found in kids. Her diagnosis date of April 11, 2018 was also her brother’s 11th birthday. Even though Briley finished...
The New England Journal of Medicine
Chills ran up and down my arms when I opened the link that Rally-funded researcher Dr. Gregory Friedman sent. I was staring at the New England Journal of Medicine logo, an article about Dr. Friedman’s brain cancer research and an acknowledgement to Rally for our support. “As a young investigator in 2013, I received my first grant directly supporting my lab research from Rally. The support enabled us to obtain the critical preclinical data needed for FDA approval to conduct the first pediatric...
Rally Good Meals: Feeding Childhood Cancer Families on Their Journey to the Bell
Rally not only impacts the lives of children with cancer, but the lives of their whole families. I know this because I am the sister of a Rally Kid. My name is Catherine Barr. My sister, Sarah, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma—a type of bone cancer—in 2009 at the age of 12. I was 11 at the time. Sarah fought bravely for seven and a half years. She passed away in 2016. Sarah was so gentle and kind, all while being the biggest nerd. She excelled in school and wanted to pursue a career in the...