It’s scary enough to have your child diagnosed with cancer. But on top of that you hear all these new words and terms, which can be...
What Is a Lumbar Puncture? What is a Spinal Tap?
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Childhood Cancer
What is Chemotherapy?
You just found out that your child has cancer. And that chemotherapy is part of the treatment plan. Most everyone has heard of...
What is Radiation?
Radiation therapy is targeted energy used to destroy cancer cells, shrink tumors and/or alleviate certain cancer-related symptoms....
What Would You Tell a Newly Diagnosed ALL Family? | Part 2
Did your family receive a new diagnosis of ALL? We know that sometimes the best people to talk to during moments such as these are those...
Wisdom and Advice from ALL Rally Moms | Part 1
If you’re reading this, someone you know, it might even be your child, may have been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). As...
What is an MRI?
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Having an MRI does not hurt, and it is safe – no radioactivity is present. It may take up to...
What is a CT Scan?
A CT (or CAT) scan is a diagnostic medical imaging procedure that creates three-dimensional images of internal organs, soft tissues, blood...
What is a Blood Transfusion?
A blood transfusion is a routine medical procedure to transfer blood (or a specific component of blood) from one person to another. Blood...
What is Charity Navigator?
When you are in the market for a new refrigerator, you ask your neighbors and friends for recommendations, and maybe even consult Consumer...
Meet Rally Kid Keren. Again.
Yes, you have met her before. Five years ago, Rally Kid Keren was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer. Her fight...
What is OSI Connect?
OSI Connect is a free, easy-to-use, invaluable resource for those diagnosed with osteosarcoma Osteosarcoma is a difficult and frightening...
What is a Free DIPG Nurse Navigator?
Rally Kid Tyson (Image Above), brain cancer (2016-2020)Tyson was just two and a half years old when he was diagnosed with DIPG You Are Not...
One step at a time, one prayer at a time
Normal is defined as conforming to a standard; usual, typical or expected. My name is Sarah Gossling and I am one of Rally Kid Grant’s...
New and Innovative Study Technique for Osteosarcoma Metastasis
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a type of cancer that begins in the cells that form bones, and mainly affects teenagers and young adults. In...
INSTRuCT Database for Rhabdomyosarcoma Impact
Rally is proud to be the initial funder for the creation of the INSTRuCT Database with a Consortium Grant to Dr. Sam Volchenboum of the...
Childhood Cancer
What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a blood cancer of the myeloid cells that normally form white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets. AML originates in the bone marrow, where the leukemia cells build up and overcrowd normal cells. The leukemia cells often move into the bloodstream fairly quickly. AML is the second most common form of childhood leukemia, after acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). AML is much more common in adults versus children; the average age of diagnosis is 68. There are...
Dean’s Letter – December 2025
Twenty years ago, Rally was birthed from a prayer circle in a driveway. William Olson, a junior in high school, was battling brain cancer for the second time. A group of women gathered in the driveway three days a week for over a year to pray him through treatment. That is where I started learning about childhood cancer. It was awful. One day William had a horrific reaction to a transfusion and almost died. I looked at William’s mom and asked a simple question that changed everything: “What...
A Message From Nora
Hi! My name is Nora. I am 7 years old and I have a blood cancer called ALL — for a second time. The first time, I was 4 years old and I had to miss a lot of fun things because I was in the hospital. It wasn’t fun doing the treatments, and we had to go to another city for my medicines. After a while I got to go back to my dance and tumbling classes with my friends. I love playing with my brothers, too! But then the cancer came back. I was so sad. We have to go to a hospital in another town,...
Rally Kid Nora: Fighting for Her Future — Again.
Dance, tumbling, playing outside and all things pink — these are the joys that light up Rally Kid Nora’s world. She loves to go to school and spend time with her two brothers, just like most kids her age. Nora isn’t like most kids, however. Her life and activities have been altered by childhood cancer. Nora was just 4 years old when her parents heard the words, “Your child has high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).” Even after treatment began, the shock hadn’t worn off. “We were...
Nora’s Journey With Cancer: The Spirit of a Fighter
Like most 4-year-old girls, Nora was full of life — happy, energetic and always on the go. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until her parents noticed a deep bruise on her shoulder blade. They didn’t think much of it at first, but then more bruises began to appear in places where they shouldn’t. Nora also started feeling unusually tired, which wasn’t typical for this spunky girl. Her parents chalked it up to being “Disney tired” from a recent magical family trip. But when Nora spiked a fever...
What Are the Most Common Childhood Cancers?
It’s no secret that adults get cancer. But children get cancer, too -- and it’s more common than you might think. Worldwide, 300,000 kids are diagnosed with cancer every year. And in the U.S., 1 in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before they turn 20. There are many types of childhood cancers. Some cancers are more common in children than adults, and there are some cancers that only children get. Here’s a look at some of the most common childhood cancers. Leukemia The most common...