Year Four: What We’ve Learned and How We Grow – Madelyn James Pediatric Cancer Foundation

This year, we wanted to step back and focus on not just what we’ve done in Maddy’s honor, we wanted to share how far we have come and how far we have to go. Her first word was “bubble.” And, we want to remember her spirit through her double waves and love of Bows today.

Sometimes, in the moment, it’s hard to step back and also celebrate how far we’ve come. And this week, we will do just that.

It’s incredible to remind ourselves of what we have done in four years:

Most importantly, we’ve supported 12 families and 13 children.
Our families live in eight different states.
We’ve raised $774,557.02 for those families.
We’ve hosted two panels with experts in pediatric oncology, pediatric health equity, social workers, behavior health leaders, child life specialists and more.
We’ve expanded from Philadelphia, PA to Washington, DC.
We’ve spoken on three panels at the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers conference in 2025 and 2026. Sharing our mission from Atlanta to Denver.
We’ve hosted 7 Bow Bashes! Bringing together our community across two different cities. (Save the Date for our 8th Bow Bash on November 7th!)
We’ve experienced moments of joy – like when Legend took to the dance floor in Philly and DC surrounded by our community cheering him on.
And, moments of extreme pain – like, when we lost Nico. He will always be remembered at Madelyn James.

This is a community of “ands.”

We have learned the art of feeling two opposite feelings at the same time, and we have shared these stories and feelings with so many across the country. And, every moment of every day, we wish that Maddy was here.

We miss her smile. Her nose scrunch. Her, very, particular preferences of people (Hannah being her favorite human in the world.). Her full-belly laughs. Her love of fish (pout-pout fish). Her love of delicious food (especially mac-n-cheese!).

One of the coolest things about Maddy was how she always surprised us. She would constantly have an opposite reaction to a drug or treatment and we were always on our toes. And, she always met her milestones – when she saw her twin sister stand up, she decided she would too. Walking …“well, I can’t do it by myself mom, but grab my hand so I can show Hannah I’m so close!” She loved big and knew what she wanted. Something I think all of us could be reminded of each day – something I know I need to remind myself of each day.

This year, she would have been 5. Going to kindergarten with her sister. It is a tragedy that she is not here. An amazing soul gone too soon.

We have learned so much in these last four years, and continue to grow each day. As we expand our team at Madelyn James and personally expand our family: there is one thing I am absolutely certain of: Maddy would be so proud. As I write this, my cheeks are wet, because I’m so honored to carry on Maddy’s life through Madelyn James, and we could not be here without each of you in our community. And (there it is again), I wish more than anything to have the life I had before, where she was in it every. Single. Day. I would give up anything to have our whole family together again.

That’s why we’re here at Madelyn James. Because we understand what it’s like:

To make the impossible decisions
To have to leave one child’s side to support another
To have to decide between supporting your family financially and being with your child during treatment
To learn a new language in a new world
To hope so deeply, and hear bad news
To not know what to do next, or who to turn to

This year, we ask that you: