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Rally Stories

You Above ALL: Rally Kid Ava Paige’s Songwriting Story

You Above ALL: Rally Kid Ava Paige’s Songwriting Story

by | Jun 1, 2021

A PATH TO SUCCESS Rally Kid Ava Paige has been writing songs and playing guitar for most of her life. She always dreamed of becoming a successful songwriter, and her natural talents put her well on her way at a young age. Ava has played live shows in Nashville for many years, even holding a standing gig at The George Jones since age 13. She has played iconic venues such as The Listening Room and The Bluebird Cafe and frequently participates in songwriter shows around town that include some major hitmakers. She earned several music industry awards and was named Best Singer/Songwriter in the 2019 Nashville Scene Readers Poll. A SHOCKING DIAGNOSIS With her music career traveling in the fast lane, Ava was delivered a blow just before her 15th birthday—she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL for short. Gigs and songwriting were put on hold and replaced by hospital stays...

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Dear William

Dear William

by | May 22, 2021

Dear William, There are so many memories. So many. You were the inspiration for Rally. The first Rally Kid. Your driveway was the prayer circle driveway. The driveway where, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at 9:30, God took a minimum of six to as many as 15 women on an unbelievable journey to pray you and your family through your first relapse with medulloblastoma—a pediatric brain tumor. We were an interesting crew made up mainly of baseball moms from all different faiths, denominations, neighborhoods and schools. We had ladies who “named it and claimed it” and ladies who said, “This is God’s will” and ladies who said, “We just don’t get it, Lord” and ladies who never said a word but faithfully showed up. Where Rally Started From your driveway to your hospital room, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research was birthed. Rally was never about one kid, one type of...

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Cleaning Out the Medicine Cabinet

Cleaning Out the Medicine Cabinet

by | May 12, 2021

17 BOTTLES A few weeks ago, I cleaned out the medicine cabinet. That doesn’t sound super exciting, I know, but I threw away 17 bottles of expired chemotherapy and cancer related medications. Last year, these bottles were strung out across our counter at all times ready to be administered to my daughter Lexy every 4-12 hours. A lot has changed in a year. BACK TO “THAT” PLACE I’ve been reminded that fear can strike at any time. I had tried to clean the medicine cabinet after Lexy’s port removal surgery. That was months ago. These bottles were something I just couldn’t get rid of. Like some kind of crazy cancer superstition. But then I noticed seeing the bottles was hard—not only for me, but for Lexy. They took us back to “that” place. A piece of it always stays with you. You never forget seeing your child gasp for air or the sound of the alarm notifying everyone she is in distress. You...

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Happiness & Heartbreak: Life as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse

Happiness & Heartbreak: Life as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse

by | May 5, 2021

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...

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Volunteering For A Cure

Volunteering For A Cure

by | Apr 30, 2021

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...

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Childhood Cancer Superheroes

Childhood Cancer Superheroes

by | Apr 28, 2021

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...

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Rally Stories

You Above ALL: Rally Kid Ava Paige’s Songwriting Story

You Above ALL: Rally Kid Ava Paige’s Songwriting Story

by | Jun 1, 2021

A PATH TO SUCCESS Rally Kid Ava Paige has been writing songs and playing guitar for most of her life. She always dreamed of becoming a successful songwriter, and her natural talents put her well on her way at a young age. Ava has played live shows in Nashville for many years, even holding a standing gig at The George Jones since age 13. She has played iconic venues such as The Listening Room and The Bluebird Cafe and frequently participates in songwriter shows around town that include some...

read more
Dear William

Dear William

by | May 22, 2021

Dear William, There are so many memories. So many. You were the inspiration for Rally. The first Rally Kid. Your driveway was the prayer circle driveway. The driveway where, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at 9:30, God took a minimum of six to as many as 15 women on an unbelievable journey to pray you and your family through your first relapse with medulloblastoma—a pediatric brain tumor. We were an interesting crew made up mainly of baseball moms from all different faiths,...

read more
Cleaning Out the Medicine Cabinet

Cleaning Out the Medicine Cabinet

by | May 12, 2021

17 BOTTLES A few weeks ago, I cleaned out the medicine cabinet. That doesn’t sound super exciting, I know, but I threw away 17 bottles of expired chemotherapy and cancer related medications. Last year, these bottles were strung out across our counter at all times ready to be administered to my daughter Lexy every 4-12 hours. A lot has changed in a year. BACK TO “THAT” PLACE I’ve been reminded that fear can strike at any time. I had tried to clean the medicine cabinet after Lexy’s port removal...

read more
Happiness & Heartbreak: Life as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse

Happiness & Heartbreak: Life as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse

by | May 5, 2021

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...

read more
Volunteering For A Cure

Volunteering For A Cure

by | Apr 30, 2021

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...

read more
Childhood Cancer Superheroes

Childhood Cancer Superheroes

by | Apr 28, 2021

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...

read more

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