How Rally Gulf Coast Got Started

Rally Gulf Coast was established organically with Rally’s signature question: “What can I do to help?”. Director Cindi Bonner started her Rally journey when her 4-year-old neighbor was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma. She knew she needed to help!

Cindi’s neighbors were overwhelmed with questions and concerns, but needed to focus on their daughter. She jumped right in to support them by building a website and Facebook page to keep their family and friends informed. During this process, she educated herself on the terrifying statistics of childhood cancer. From learning about the severe funding gap to making connections with other childhood cancer families around the country, Cindi knew that more could be done to help others along the Gulf Coast.

After meeting Rally’s leadership team and learning more about the organization, Cindi knew she wanted to raise funds and awareness that support Rally’s mission. In 2015, Rally Pensacola was born! Since then, Rally Pensacola has rebranded to Rally Gulf Coast and raised more than $3.2 million, developed strong community partnerships, and provided resources for pediatric oncology families along the Florida panhandle and South Alabama regions.

Today, Rally Gulf Coast is located inside Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart, which serves families across the Florida panhandle, southern Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Rally Gulf Coast furthers Rally’s mission through donors, community partners, special events and school partnerships. They also provide support to families with kids fighting cancer through the Rally Gulf Coast Family Emergency Fund, the Rally Good Meal program, and additional events that help introduce these families to each other and to Rally Foundation.