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Author: Maryalice Skutnik

Finding Hope Through Research: Christian’s Leukemia Journey

Posted on by Maryalice Skutnik

Finding Hope Through Research: Christian’s Leukemia Journey

At two years old, Christian Vinci was always trying to keep up. The youngest among his cousins, he was active, adventurous and happiest playing alongside his older brother, Patrick. Summer was meant for playing, and a few bruises on Christian’s legs were nothing out of the ordinary.

Until Christian stopped wanting to play.

A sickness lingered. Low-grade fevers continued. One illness seemed to follow another. Adam and Carolyn Vinci tried to find an explanation, but their energetic little boy simply wasn’t himself.

“We knew something was very wrong,” Carolyn said. “It was peak summer activities, and he didn’t want to do anything.”

Soon, the Vincis were in an emergency room hearing a word they never expected to be associated with their two-year-old son: leukemia.

“It was like an out-of-body experience,” Carolyn said. “The pain is insurmountable.”

A young boy with short hair rests his head on a woman’s shoulder, looking thoughtful—a quiet moment during Christian’s Leukemia Journey. Colorful children’s artwork is displayed on the wall in the background.
A woman kisses a baby on the forehead while holding them, standing in front of a window decorated with colorful children’s artwork—a tender moment captured as part of Christian’s Leukemia Journey.

Finding Strength

A man holds hands with a young child lying in a hospital bed, covered with a blanket. The child has medical wires attached and appears to be resting. The setting is a hospital room with medical equipment visible, capturing a tender moment during Christian’s Leukemia Journey.

Life changed instantly.

At home, Adam and Carolyn had a four-year-old and a newborn just two weeks old. In the hospital, Christian was undergoing tests and procedures he couldn’t understand. Through it all, he looked to his parents.

“He’s looking at us for strength,” Carolyn said. “You have to muster up anything to just keep marching ahead.”

For Adam, watching his son face cancer was unlike anything he had experienced.

“When it’s your child, you’d do anything to swap places with him,” he said.

Days became a series of hospital visits, shift changes and nights spent apart. Patrick began asking Carolyn the same question each morning: “Where am I going today?”

The simple question broke her heart.

“I don’t think people realize how amazing it is to be under one roof,” Carolyn said.


Bringing Christian Home

A woman smiles holding a baby in a carrier next to a young child in a hockey arena, capturing a moment from Christian’s Leukemia Journey. The child wears a beanie and hockey shirt as they enjoy time together, with the arena’s ice rink and seating visible in the background.
A young boy on Christian’s Leukemia Journey stands in a hospital room, a medical port visible on his chest as he holds a stuffed toy. Medical equipment and toys are visible in the background.

During treatment at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Christian’s care team introduced the family to a clinical trial.

At first, Adam and Carolyn were scared of the unknown. But with guidance from Christian’s care team, they began to understand how research had shaped the treatments available to their son — and how his experience could help children in the future.

Through the clinical trial, Christian received an additional round of immunotherapy using a small portable infusion pump and a backpack.  Rather than spending another month confined to a hospital room, he was able to continue treatment from home—running around the house, playing with his brother and doing the things he loved while the medication quietly infused in the background.
Slowly, the Vincis began to see their adventurous little boy again.

“He was feeling so good. His hair was growing back,” Carolyn said. “We were chasing him, trying to hold his backpack.”

Christian could play with Patrick. He could rebuild his strength. The Vinci family could be together under one roof.

“His spirits were up,” Carolyn said. “Being able to play really helped with treatment.”

For Adam and Carolyn, research gave their family something invaluable: more time together.

“Knowing that Christian will help other kids is rewarding,” Carolyn said. “We’re so lucky that we can be part of this team and clinical trial so that we can add to research.”

Through the Courage of Carly Fund, pediatric cancer research at Roswell Park continues to create more possibilities for children like Christian — and more moments at home, simply being kids.

How Donations Fuel Pediatric Cancer Breakthroughs

Celebrating Riley Greene’s Five-Year Victory

Posted on by Maryalice Skutnik

Celebrating Riley Greene’s Five-Year Victory

For 18-year-old Riley Greene and his family, March 25, 2026 marked far more than a date on the calendar. It marked five years of survivorship and a milestone that brought together family, friends and a community that has stood beside them since the very beginning.

Riley first rang the bell in 2021 after completing treatment for Burkitt lymphoma, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the moment was much quieter than what many families picture.

This year was different.

“I was so excited,” Riley said. “I felt like it was such an important moment and milestone.”

Just before his high school graduation party last summer, Riley faced another health scare and had to undergo surgery for a third time — not because of cancer, but because of adhesions from the surgery to remove his original tumor. The experience reminded him just how much he had overcome.

“Having all my family and friends there this time meant so much to me,” he said. “My heart was so full that day. I finally felt like a survivor.”

Facing cancer during COVID

Four people wearing purple “#rileyswarriors” shirts and masks stand together indoors, posing for a photo in celebration of Riley Greene’s Five-Year Victory. Two of them wear hats. There are plaques and bells mounted on the wall behind them.

Riley’s mother, Kellee Greene also reflected on the unique challenges of supporting her son through pediatric cancer treatment during the pandemic. Because of restrictions, only one caregiver could be with Riley at a time. His brother Aydin could not visit. Extended family could not gather around them. The experience was deeply isolating.

“It was 10 times harder because we couldn’t be in the hospital together,” she said. “Not having our support group through grandparents, aunts and uncles made everything so much more isolating and hard. You’re getting these awful diagnoses and there’s just no one there to lean on. As a mom, you just want to protect your kid, and you’re there alone.”

During that time, Courage of Carly made a meaningful difference.

“They would find little gift bags of crafts for you to do or a scavenger hunt or something to get the kids’ minds off of why they were there. They were crucial,” Kellee said.

When everything changed

Kellee remembers how their journey began: in July 2020, when Riley started having severe abdominal pain. At first, the family thought it might be a stomach bug. After a visit to the pediatrician and then a trip to Golisano Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, what they thought was appendicitis quickly became something much more serious.

“They took him back for an ultrasound, and the doctor came in and said, ‘We can’t see his appendix,’” Kellee recalled. “So, they sent him for a CT scan. The doctor asked me to step out into the hallway, and right then and there, I just knew. I said, ‘I work at Roswell. You can tell me.’ That’s when he said, Riley has a tumor on his intestine. We think it’s Burkitt lymphoma.’”

They knew life would never be the same after hearing those words.

Riley went through eight rounds of inpatient chemotherapy over eight months. In February 2021, he was declared to be in remission and rang the Victory Bell for the first time the following month.

“I remember only having my mom, dad, brother, my grandparents and my aunts,” Riley said. “I could only have 10 people there. We had to wear masks, and it just felt kind of meh. I was so young and didn’t really fully understand all I went through, so it didn’t feel as meaningful or exciting as when I just rang for five years.”

A child wearing a mask and purple hoodie rings a gold bell mounted on a wall, looking up at it—celebrating their own Riley Greene’s Five-Year Victory. The wall has plaques and another bell, and the child stands next to a wooden chair.
A person stands with arms raised in triumph, smiling in front of a bell on the wall—celebrating Riley Greene’s Five-Year Victory. A man claps nearby and a congratulatory balloon is visible on the left.

A celebration that meant even more

That is part of what made this year’s celebration so emotional.

“There’s just no words,” Kellee said. “It just touched my heart. I know it touched his heart. It was incredible to see all the people we’ve met on this journey show up to be there for him. We were just so proud of him for everything that he’s been through, and there he was ringing that bell.”

For Riley, getting to celebrate this milestone surrounded by loved ones was a long awaited moment he will always cherish.

“Over the years, I attended more and more bell ringing’s of my friends and I saw how much love and support they had and I wanted that too,” he said. “It meant everything to me to celebrate this milestone with my family and friends. It’s a moment I won’t ever forget and it holds a very special place in my heart.”

Growing into an advocate

Over the past five years, Riley has grown from a young patient into a survivor determined to give back. Kellee says the experience changed him in lasting ways.

“He’s matured faster than he should because he’s been through so much,” she said. “He’s his own advocate now. He walks into doctors’ appointments and takes charge. He is an honors student at Hilbert College right now. He’s just matured and grown.”

One of the clearest examples of that growth is Riley’s Warriors, a nonprofit initiative born out of Riley’s own experience in the hospital.

During one hospital stay in December 2020, Riley was admitted with a neutropenic fever just two weeks before Christmas. As a child who had always loved the lights, decorations and spirit of the season, Riley was devastated to be in the hospital during this time of year.

“My husband decided to try to find some lights to bring to his room,” Kellee said. “He decorated his room, and holy cow, did that make a difference. Riley got up and walked, he started eating and he got home a week before Christmas.”

The following year, Riley had an idea.

“He said, ‘Mom, Dad, can we take lights to the kids? I want them to feel that experience,’” Kellee said.

That simple wish turned into Riley’s Warriors. What began as delivering a few lights and decorations has since grown into full holiday room decorating bags, smile packs and hospital starter packs for pediatric cancer patients and families.

“It’s just because of his love of wanting to give back to all the kids that go through what he went through,” Kellee said.

Finding family through Courage of Carly

That desire to connect with others is also a big reason Courage of Carly has meant so much to Riley and his family.

“Courage of Carly has meant so much to me and my family,” Riley said. “Getting to spend time doing fun stuff with kids going through what I did is something very special because they get it where my other friends don’t. I feel free to be myself.”

For Riley, Courage of Carly has been more than a support system. It has become family.

“Courage of Carly is family,” he said. “Megan and Madison are amazing, and I don’t think we would be where we are without Courage of Carly. We have met Chuck [Carly’s dad] and his wife, and I feel like Carly has to be so proud of what her dream has become.”

Four smiling people stand indoors by a bell wall display, proudly celebrating Riley Greene’s Five-Year Victory. They wear matching “Ryan’s Warriors” shirts, and a “congrats” balloon with a dinosaur is visible to the left. The group has their arms around each other, radiating joy and unity.
A person stands smiling with hands clasped near a golden bell mounted on the wall, commemorating Riley Greene’s Five-Year Victory, with plaques and a photograph in the background.
A diverse group of people pose and smile together indoors, some waving and some kneeling in front, celebrating Riley Greene’s Five-Year Victory. A green inflatable dinosaur hangs above them as sunlight shines through large windows on the left.

A mother’s perspective in cancer research

There is another layer to the Greene family’s story, too. In addition to being Riley’s mother, Kellee works in cancer research as a senior research associate at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. She says that perspective shaped the way she experienced Riley’s diagnosis and treatment.

“I feel like it’s a double-edged sword because I knew exactly what he was going to be going through,” she said. “But then I felt like I could be a better advocate for him because of that. I could ask questions that maybe someone who didn’t know the science wouldn’t ask.”

At the same time, going through this journey as a mother changed the way she looks at her work.

“It made me more excited to look for more helpful ways to translate the science to the clinic faster,” Kellee said. “When you see someone like Riley ring the bell, you know what you’re doing is making a difference.”

 

 

A message for other families

Now, with five years behind him, Riley hopes his story can encourage other children and families still in the middle of their own journeys.

“I’d just say keep going, even on the days when it feels impossible,” he said. “It’s okay to be scared, it’s okay to be angry, and it’s okay to not be okay sometimes. But you’re stronger than you think and you can do hard things. Lean on the people around you, because there are so many who want to help and we are stronger together. Don’t ever lose hope.”

For the Greene family, the five-year bell ringing was not just a celebration of survivorship. It was a celebration of resilience, community and the people who helped carry them through.

And for Riley, it was something even more personal: a chance to finally feel the full weight of how far he has come.

35 Ways Courage of Carly helps kids with cancer and blood disorders

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Kids Supporting Kids: How Schools Rally for Courage of Carly

Posted on by Maryalice Skutnik

Kids Supporting Kids: How Schools Rally for Courage of Carly

There is something especially powerful about seeing young people choose to help children their own age.

Across Western New York, students at Starpoint High School, John A. Sciole Elementary School and Clarence High School turned compassion into action by designating their Schools Against Cancer fundraising efforts to Courage of Carly.

What is Schools Against Cancer?

From an overnight school tradition to an elementary school dance-a-thon to a student-led online auction, each initiative looked different. But the heart behind them was the same: Kids supporting kids. Together, these schools demonstrated how meaningful it is when students choose to give back to children and families facing cancer through Courage of Carly.

Designating Schools Against Cancer Funds

Four children’s fists with colorful wristbands, including ones reading “KIDS AGAINST CANCER” and “DANCE-A-THON,” show Kids Supporting Kids as they stand together on a gym floor. Their clothes and shoes are partially visible, capturing the spirit of unity and support.

 

When students designate their funds specifically to Courage of Carly, they are doing more than raising money. They are helping support pediatric cancer research, patient programming and experiences that bring joy and comfort to children during treatment.

Not only did that mission resonate with students at these three schools, but their efforts also prove that empathy can lead to action, and action can change lives. Through these fundraisers, the students learned they can be part of something bigger than themselves, and that even at a young age, they have the power to uplift other children going through the unimaginable. 

Starpoint High School: A Tradition of Showing Up

On Friday, March 13, Starpoint High School hosted its 14th annual Locked-In to Lock-Out Cancer event, bringing together 305 students who pledged to stay awake from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. In partnership with Roswell Park and Schools Against Cancer, the student-led committee had been planning the event since October. The evening included welcomes from Michelle Moore, Courage of Carly Co-founder Chuck Collard  and London Patane from Schools Against Cancer, followed by live entertainment, games and food. Since its start in 2013, the Locked-In to Lock-Out Cancer Club has raised $183,444 to support cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park.

For the students involved, designating those funds to Courage of Carly meant supporting children and families who need both hope and relief during treatment.

“The Courage of Carly Fund is so important to those battling cancer and their families,” said Calleigh Basile, Starpoint Senior and Locked-In to Lock-Out Club Treasurer. “Any contribution helps these families overcome everyday obstacles without having to worry about anything other than their loved ones.”

That same sense of purpose stood out to teacher and club advisor Jessica Haskill, who sees the fundraiser as a lesson in compassion as much as community service.

“Preparing students for the real world means showing them they have the power to make an impact right now,” Haskill said. “Supporting Courage of Carly and Roswell Park allows our students to see that community service isn’t about one grand gesture, but the small steps that lead to something incredible.”

 

Four young women in matching purple shirts stand on stage, listening to another woman speak at a podium. The backdrop is a red curtain, and a decorated frame on the podium reads “schools vs cancer,” highlighting the spirit of Kids Supporting Kids in the fight against cancer.
A large group of students wearing purple shirts sit on bleachers in a gymnasium, facing forward as part of a Kids Supporting Kids event. Some banners hang on the wall behind them. The gym floor and ceiling are visible.
A large group of students wearing purple shirts sit on bleachers in a gymnasium, embodying the spirit of Kids Supporting Kids. Championship banners hang on the wall behind them, while the gym floor and basketball hoops are visible in the background.

John A. Sciole Elementary: Big Hearts at a Young Age

At John A. Sciole Elementary School in Lancaster, students spent the month fundraising ahead of a schoolwide dance-a-thon. Participants pledged a few dollars to take part, donors were recognized on morning announcements and top fundraisers received prizes like stickers and custom bracelets. The event took place over two days during gym class, where students danced along to music and “Just Dance”-style videos surrounded by glow sticks and fun photo opportunities. This unique fundraiser raised more than $5,000.

“I want to help kids with cancer, and I want to keep people safe and healthy,” said Riley Sponholz, Grade 3. “I want people with cancer to feel better, and I want people with cancer to have fun.”

“It is important to raise money for Courage of Carly because a healthy child is a happy child,” said Maggie Dickey, Grade 1. “Their families need our support.”

Physical Education teacher John Dugan, who helped coordinate the effort, said the fundraiser was a powerful learning experience for the school community.

“I think it is an invaluable experience for our school community to come together as one big team to help and support an amazing organization,” Dugan said. “Teaching our students the importance of generosity, love, kindness and citizenship is critical.”

A group of kids supporting kids pose, making silly faces, inside a colorful “schools against cancer for Roswell Park” photo frame in a gymnasium.
Nine smiling kids stand in a gym, holding a decorated frame labeled “schools against cancer for Roswell Park.” A few wear glasses and sports jerseys; everyone faces the camera. The scene captures true Kids Supporting Kids, with gym mats and a screen visible in the background.



Clarence High School: Turning Leadership into Action

At Clarence High School, students in the Business Academy took on a different kind of challenge. Through a Chick-fil-A-sponsored leadership program, they organized an online auction benefiting Courage of Carly as their major impact project. Students began collecting donations in December, then spent months reaching out to businesses, organizing contributions, creating packages and promoting the fundraiser throughout the community. The auction launched on March 18th  and ended on March 23rd . In total, students created 31 baskets and packages and raised more than $15,000.    

Students in the Business Academy said Carly’s story gave them a reason to keep going even when the project became difficult.

“I really liked their message and Courage of Carly and Carly’s story in general,” said Business Academy student, Ava Charles . “It really touched my heart, so I wanted to contribute.”  

“I thought it would be a good organization to raise money for again this year, to support families that are battling cancer,” said another Business Academy student, Julia Main Cruso.  

Their teacher, Mrs. Harmon, said that choice to designate funds to support childhood cancer research and programming reflected the empathy students brought to the project.

“I love the fact that the kids have enough empathy to choose Courage of Carly and have Carly’s story still resonate with them,” Harmon said.  

A large group of high school students and two adults pose together in a classroom under a projection reading “Re-Imagine High School Leadership,” proudly representing the spirit of Kids Supporting Kids. College banners hang on the wall behind them.

Different Events, One Shared Purpose

What stands out most across all three schools is not just the total dollars raised. It is the intention behind those efforts.

Starpoint students stayed up all night. John A. Sciole students danced through gym class. Clarence students built a full online auction from the ground up. Each school found its own way to give, but every group made the same meaningful choice: to direct its support to Courage of Carly and, in doing so, stand beside children and families facing pediatric cancer and blood disorders.

Looking Ahead

The support from these schools is a reminder that the Courage of Carly mission continues to resonate across classrooms, clubs and communities. When young people understand that they can help children their own age, the impact is powerful.

These students are learning leadership. They are building empathy. And most of all, they are showing kids with cancer and their families that they are not alone.

 

Courage of Carly’s First IceCycle Team

Posted on by Maryalice Skutnik

Courage of Carly's First IceCycle Team

Every rider who takes part in IceCycle has a reason for showing up.

Some ride in honor of someone they love. Some ride in memory. Some ride to give back after experiencing cancer up close. No matter the reason, IceCycle brings together a community of people united by purpose, all while raising critical funds for Roswell Park.

This year, Courage of Carly had its own IceCycle team, with funds designated specifically for childhood cancer research and patient programming. The team roster included Courage of Carly moms, Rebecca Lindquist, Denisa Klump and Rachel Wall. For each of them, the ride was a meaningful way to support the mission while honoring their own family’s journey.

A sign on a bicycle reads, “I ride for: my daughter” with a small heart drawn below, capturing the spirit of the Courage of Carly’s First IceCycle. The bike frame is dark, and part of a person in pink leggings is visible in the background.

Rebecca Lindquist

A woman with long brown hair holds a smiling young boy in a camo jacket and gray pants. They stand in front of a wall displaying various siding samples in a store, celebrating the Courage of Carly’s First IceCycle. The boy proudly holds an orange and blue water bottle.

For Rebecca, that journey began when her five-year-old son Jaxson was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

“Our lives changed overnight,” Rebecca remembered. “Watching him go through treatments and still be so brave every single day is something that inspires me constantly.”

Participating in IceCycle gave her an outlet to make a difference in a tangible way.

“As a parent, you feel helpless sometimes, and participating in IceCycle is a way for me to turn those feelings into action,” she said. “It’s my way of fighting alongside him and helping raise money for the research and care that kids like my son depend on.”

For Rebecca, supporting pediatric cancer research is about the future she wants for both her son and other families going through the same experience.

“Supporting childhood cancer research means hope,” Rebecca said. “All you want is for your child to be healthy and have the chance to grow up and live a full life.”

Denisa Klump

This was Denisa’s first year participating in IceCycle, and it was an experience she will never forget.

“Oh my goodness it was such an incredible experience to be a part of!” Denisa said.

Her daughter Everly was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 when she was just five years old, and Denisa said riding on the Courage of Carly team felt like a meaningful way to give back.

“I’ll never be able to repay Roswell Park for all they did to help her beat cancer, but I thought this was my way of paying it forward,” she said. “Having seen firsthand how research-funded therapies saved my daughter, I feel compelled to ensure others have those same opportunities available.”

Courage of Carly helped to support their family during a very difficult time while navigating Everly’s battle with cancer.

“They gave us so many opportunities to make memories and have a little sense of ‘normalcy’ during a very stressful time,” Denisa said.

One moment stands out most: Everly’s bell ringing.

“The Courage of Carly team was there to celebrate our daughter ringing the bell,” she said. “They made such a huge milestone moment even more special for her and really personalized to her.”

A smiling child with glasses and no hair hugs an adult woman with curly hair and sunglasses on her head. Both are wearing black shirts and appear happy together, capturing the joyful spirit at Courage of Carly’s First IceCycle.

Rachel Wall

A woman and a child smile in a room, both wearing blue sports shirts and colorful pants, proudly displaying their excitement for the Courage of Carly’s First IceCycle. Behind them is a white door, wall decor with antlers, and a fox pelt mounted on the wall.
A woman smiles while a young boy in a green Minecraft shirt—celebrating the Courage of Carly’s First IceCycle—sticks out his tongue and holds a green straw, both enjoying a sunny day outdoors.

Rachel rode with her son Jackson in mind.

After Jackson was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2024, IceCycle became one more way for Rachel to support the community that has supported her family.

“It was amazing,” Rachel said. “It’s just wonderful to see everybody that can come together and ride for themselves or for loved ones.”

Rachel said joining the Courage of Carly team was an easy decision.

“When they gave me the opportunity to ride with them, I just was like, sign me up,” she said.

Support like this means everything to kids and families going through treatment.

“They do so many things,” Rachel said. “And these kids need that. They just need days out, and days to do things, and experiences.”

One of the most meaningful parts of the ride was being able to look up and see Jackson cheering her on.

“It was so great,” she reflected. “Just looking up, and I could see them waving and cheering, and it was fun to know that somebody’s cheering me on.”

Every Ride Matters

IceCycle is powered by people who all have their own reasons for riding, and that shared sense of purpose is what makes this event so meaningful year after year.

For Rebecca, Denisa and Rachel, being part of the Courage of Carly team and allocating the funds raised from their ride to the pediatric program gave them a way to turn their experiences into action. Together, the Courage of Carly IceCycle team raised over $7,000 to help support crucial pediatric cancer research and pediatric programs and events.

They rode to give back. They rode to support other families. And they rode to help create more hope for every child facing pediatric cancer.

Learn more about IceCycle Buffalo

How Donations Fuel Pediatric Cancer Breakthroughs

How Donations Fuel Pediatric Cancer Breakthroughs

Posted on by Maryalice Skutnik

How Donations Fuel Pediatric Cancer Breakthroughs

When you support the Courage of Carly Fund, you’re not only standing in solidarity with patients and their families, but you’re also doing your part to establish more effective and less invasive treatments for childhood cancer.

One Organization ➡️ Countless Meaningful Results

Here are a few ways your Courage of Carly Donations make a difference.

Research and Clinical Trials

A child and an adult hug each other warmly in a hallway, celebrating hope inspired by recent pediatric cancer breakthroughs. The child wears a colorful striped sweater, has beaded braids, and a mask. Artworks hang on the wall in the background.

Roswell Park is the only organization in Western New York researching childhood cancer.

Clinical trials are essential to improving survival rates and reducing long-term side effects. Nationally, only about 4% of  federal cancer research funding is dedicated to pediatric cancers. Private philanthropy, like Courage of Carly, is essential to fill those gaps.

“It’s not just even about the cure, it’s really about the tolerability of the treatment in both the short term and the long term. I just feel we can do better. And that’s what really drives me to want to be involved in these clinical trials and new research studies. This is how we make a difference, especially for patients in the future,” said Kara Kelly, MD, Chair of Roswell Park Golisano Children’s Buffalo Cancer and Blood Disorders Program.

In 2025, Roswell Park reached several major clinical milestones, including 16 bone marrow and cell therapy infusions — the highest annual total to date. The Transplant and Cell Therapy Program also earned FACT reaccreditation, along with an Optum Center of Excellence designation reflecting national quality standards.

“Right now, the focus is in how we can enhance clinical trials and how can we get more funding for pediatric patients,” said Courage of Carly co-founder Chuck Collard.

Offering Innovative, Personalized Treatment

Cancer treatment is never one-size-fits-all. Funding supports highly individualized care plans that adjust based on each child’s response to therapy.

“Dr. Kelly picked the chemotherapy regimen that allowed me to be less sick and still be involved in my life,” pediatric patient Sophia Baudo said. At Sophia’s bell ringing in August of 2024, she thanked Dr. Kelly for saving her life. 

This personalized approach allows children to maintain routines, attend school when possible and remain connected to life outside the hospital.

Accessing childhood cancer care historically required families to travel long distances for advanced treatment. Expanded support has helped more children receive specialized, state-of-the-art care locally at Roswell Park, reducing travel burdens and allowing families to remain connected to their schools, jobs and communities.

“Now we have clinical trials here, so we’re able to keep more families here in Western New York,” Collard said. “That’s less disruption for the siblings, the parents and the extended family.”

A young woman with a shaved head hugs an older woman with glasses. Both are smiling warmly in a bright indoor setting, surrounded by other people—a touching moment that reflects hope inspired by recent Pediatric Cancer Breakthroughs.
A young child in a Spider-Man outfit rings a bell on the wall, smiling—a joyful celebration of hope and Pediatric Cancer Breakthroughs—with a woman kneeling beside a toddler and a man standing, clapping and smiling.

Roswell Park is a leader in childhood cancer care nationwide

Western New York is one of only three places nationwide where a freestanding children’s hospital is directly connected to an NCI-designated comprehensive care center.

In fact, since Dr. Kelly came to Roswell Park in 2016, she’s recruited eight faculty members from top children’s hospitals and universities across the country.

“We have taken lead roles in national clinical trials and we’re changing the standard of care for different diseases that we care for,” explained Dr. Kelly. “We’ve developed innovative, multi-disciplinary programs that have truly benefitted our patients.”

Collard added, “We’re blessed to have some incredible clinicians here in Western New York. We’re blessed to have a joint hematology oncology program. We are so blessed because we know we’re getting best in class care. There’s no doubt.”

Supporting Courage of Carly Families

A man and three children stand by a fountain, each child holding a sign that says “Uniting for” with their names: Marta, Zoe, and Savannah. The sun is shining and trees with autumn leaves are in the background, as they come together in support of Pediatric Cancer Breakthroughs.

Families navigating childhood cancer or blood disorders are often burdened with overwhelming stress, logistical challenges and emotional strain. Before structured programs existed through Courage of Carly, parents and caregivers frequently navigated treatment without much guidance.

“We didn’t have a lot of support for families. Each family individually had to navigate their own journey,” said Collard.

Today, funding ensures families have access to emotional, educational and therapeutic support through every stage of treatment.

“The resources extend far beyond the patient; it’s the family members as well,” Collard said.

Programs supported through Courage include in-clinic activities, Beads of Courage, comfort packages, treatment milestone celebrations, family counseling services and teen wellness programs designed to support adolescents through diagnosis and recovery.

Letting Kids, Be Kids

Cancer care can last months or even years, and even once a patient is deemed “cancer-free,” many say their diagnosis and experience stays with them forever. That’s why preserving a sense of normalcy is essential. Psychosocial and diversionary programs create opportunities for joy, celebration and connection throughout treatment.

“I really emphasized that I wanted to graduate high school and dance, and Dr. Kelly told me she would do everything in her power to make that possible,” Baudo said.

There are more than 60 hosted every year. These programs include concerts, sporting events, game nights, prom experiences, holiday celebrations and other age-appropriate events that help children continue being kids, even in the midst of treatment.

A young child in a red sweater is sliding down a large, colorful inflatable slide indoors, smiling and having fun—a joyful moment that reflects the hope and happiness inspired by recent Pediatric Cancer Breakthroughs.
A young child in a red shirt smiles while sitting in a white and blue ball pit at an indoor play area, with a small slide behind them—capturing the joy and hope inspired by recent pediatric cancer breakthroughs.

Donors Like You Strengthen Pediatric Care

Donor-supported research and clinical innovation are helping accelerate real progress in pediatric oncology.

“We’ve been able to maintain really high success rates, but with a lot less therapy. The most recent clinical trial that we reported last year, only 1% of children receive radiation treatment, in contrast to about 75% that had received it with my previous regimen. And we know that that’s going to translate into, much lower risk of side effects in the long term,” said Dr. Kelly. “Seeing how our advancements in just a couple of years made all the difference makes me excited for patients in the future. We are really on the cusp of just transformative changes for many of the diseases that we care for.” 

Funding through Courage of Carly supports comprehensive childhood cancer care that extends beyond treatment alone. By investing in research, family stability, clinical innovation, psychosocial support and quality of life programs, Courage of Carly helps ensure children and families receive care rooted in compassion, excellence and hope.

 

 

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Meet Courage of Carly's Dynamic Duo

Courage of Carly’s Dynamic Duo

Posted on by Maryalice Skutnik

Courage of Carly's Dynamic Duo

When you walk into the Roswell Park pediatric wing, you can feel it immediately — the support, the comfort, the intentional kindness. It’s the kind of energy you can’t fake. And at the center of it are two women whose journeys couldn’t be more different, yet somehow align perfectly: Megan Crawford, the Pediatric & Young Adult Program Manager, and Madison Auten, the Diversionary Program Coordinator.

They work to guide families through one of the hardest chapters of their lives, when a child is diagnosed with cancer or a blood disorder. Together they wear many hats, but at the center of what they do, they find the calm in the chaos, the joy in the heaviness. They’re people who show up, every single time.

A woman with wavy brown hair, wearing a black blazer over a beige top, smiles while standing in a bright hallway with large windows in the background, embodying the spirit of the Courage of Carly Dynamic Duo.
A woman with long brown hair and a sleeveless beige dress smiles while standing in a bright, modern hallway with large windows, embodying the strength and positivity of a true Courage of Carly Dynamic Duo.

Finding Their Way

Three smiling women stand together indoors. The person in the middle, with a bald head and hoop earrings, wears a “Sophia Strong” shirt, embodying the spirit of the Courage of Carly. The women on either side have long brown hair and wear black jackets and ID badges, showcasing a dynamic duo united in support and strength.
Two women in yellow, embodying the spirit of the Courage of Carly Dynamic Duo, stand on grass beside an illuminated “ONE GOLD” sign, surrounded by gold and yellow balloons. Tents and city buildings are visible in the background under a clear sky.

Auten’s connection to the program began long before she joined the staff.

“When I was eight years old, my family and I volunteered at Carly’s Crossing,” Auten said. “A few years later I started raising money to participate in the swim. That’s how I first heard about Carly’s Club.”

She later returned to volunteer at the Courage of Carly holiday party, wrap gifts and assist at events. Those experiences shaped her interest in a career rooted in purpose.

“I knew I wanted to do something meaningful and make real connections with families,” Auten said. “I didn’t want a typical 9-to-5.”

Crawford’s path was less direct but equally driven by a desire to support others.

“My degree is actually in exercise science, so nothing at all related to what we do,” Crawford laughed. “I worked at Disney World for a bit, then came home and got involved in youth programming. Those experiences showed me how powerful it can be to create magical moments for children, something that continues to shape the work I do today.”

A personal connection also influenced her direction.

“One of my dear friends in high school was diagnosed with brain cancer,” Crawford said. “That was my first real exposure to childhood cancer. She passed away, and I learned a lot about advocacy and the need for research. It’s meaningful to carry on her legacy in the work I do.”

Growing the Program

Crawford has watched the Courage of Carly Fund evolve significantly since she started in 2018.

“When I first started, we had just launched our joint venture with Oishei Children’s Hospital,” she said. “Now we’ve built a community for patients with sickle cell disease, thalassemia and other blood disorders.”

The program is continually adapted based on patient needs, trends and family feedback.

“We try to figure out what works best for different age groups,” Auten said. “If an event shines, we bring it back. If it doesn’t, we revamp it or let it go. Our goal is always to help families make connections with others who understand their journey.”

The patient population shifts often, which requires constant re-evaluation of programming.

“Our population ebbs and flows,” Crawford said. “We’ve had waves of pre-K girls, then pre-K boys, then high school boys and so on. Times change, needs change and the program has to evolve with that.”

Two adults and three young girls smile at the camera indoors, proudly showcasing their Courage of Carly Dynamic Duo spirit. The girls, dressed in colorful outfits and holding balloons, stand with the adults near a wall adorned with wooden panels and plaques.

Lasting Impact

Four people gather outdoors; one woman in a tan hat gently holds and pets a small animal, while another woman in a sleeveless blue dress—part of the Courage of Carly Dynamic Duo—smiles and reaches to touch it. The group looks happy and engaged.
Three people smiling and posing together, with the person in the middle holding a decorated cake that says “Congratulations Tristen.” A bell and a motivational quote celebrating the Courage of Carly Dynamic Duo are visible on the wall behind them.
A woman in a patterned dress hands a white gift bag with colorful items to another woman in green at an indoor gathering, celebrating the spirit of the Courage of Carly Dynamic Duo. Other people are seated and mingling in the background.

For Auten, the most rewarding moments come from following families through their full treatment journey.

“I’ve now seen kids ring the bell who started treatment when I first began working here,” Auten said. “Watching their journey from the start to where they are now is huge.”

Crawford has seen many of the same transformations over her seven years with the program.

“It’s remarkable to watch kids go from being diagnosed in pre-K to becoming middle schoolers,” Crawford said. “We even have young adults now in med school or going into other allied health professions because of what they experienced.”

Those successes are powerful. But the difficult moments are equally defining.

“It’s hard to boil it down to one experience,” Crawford said. “But when we don’t have those victories — when families experience the absolute lowest moments — it reinforces why this work matters. It reignites the passion to advocate for better research, better cures and better awareness.”

Nothing compares to the strength they see in patients and their families everyday.

“Me getting out of bed in the morning is small potatoes compared to what these kids go through day in and day out,” Auten said.

Defining Courage

Auten sees courage in the way families keep moving forward.

“Courage is taking what you’re given and going with it day in and day out,” she said. “Even on the tough days.”

Crawford expressed a similar outlook.

“Courage is showing up, whatever that means for you,” she said. “Every day you show up is a victory.”

Both staff members look to the families they serve for inspiration.

“I learn from these families every day,” Crawford said. “They’re dealt the toughest cards in life, yet they carry it with grace. You don’t have to know everything to be there for someone — you just have to be present.”

Crawford also expressed deep reverence for the roots of the Courage of Carly Fund.

“I feel an immense responsibility and honor in carrying on Carly’s legacy,” she said. “If she were here today, she would be giving her all for everyone who walks through those doors. You owe it all to one little girl with courage over 25 years ago.”

Crawford and Auten bring different strengths to their roles, but share a unified mission: to create joy, comfort and connection for families navigating pediatric cancer and blood disorders.

Their partnership reflects the heart of the Courage of Carly Fund, an organization built on resilience, hope and everyday courage.

Two women, known as the Courage of Carly Dynamic Duo, stand behind a table with brochures and lanyards. The table is covered with a blue cloth displaying “Courage of Carly Fund” and “Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.” A bench and metal fence are visible in the background.
A smiling child with a bald head and a yellow skirt dances with a woman in a pink dress—together, they embody the spirit of the Courage of Carly Dynamic Duo—while two other women look on, smiling in a brightly lit room.

Carly's Story