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Smiling child wearing a bright red triceratops dinosaur costume, featuring a hood with horns and frill, against a plain light background, represents the Courage of Carly Faces of Courage—celebrating bravery and joy in every moment.

Faces of Courage

Real kids. Real courage. Real hope.

Behind every breakthrough, every milestone and every moment of joy is a child, a family and a story worth sharing. Meet a few of the incredible kids and teens who inspire the work of the Courage of Carly Fund every day.

Donate today!

Kayleigh, age 5

A child in a birthday crown and sash sticks their tongue out, surrounded by text that reads, “Courage means facing your fears.” — Kayleigh, a Face of Courage.

Kayleigh was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at age 4. She likes to play and do crafts with her mom and loves unicorns.

Courage means facing your fears.

Dakarai, age 18

A smiling young man in a baseball cap from the Faces of Courage campaign, with text reading “Meet Dakarai,” “Faces of Courage,” and “Age 18, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia."

Dakarai was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at age 16. He likes to watch sports, hang out with friends and make music. 

Courage mean keeping your composure even while being uncomfortable.

Kai, age 4

A young girl in a yellow dress and white headband smiles while holding a plush toy. Text reads: “Meet Kai. Faces of Courage, featuring the Courage of Carly. Age 4, Wilms Tumor.”.
A smiling young girl in a yellow dress and white headwrap stands with arms outstretched. Colorful lines and the text: “Courage means when I’m afraid for Kai, I put my trust in my faith.” – Kai’s Mom circle around her, capturing the spirit of Faces of Courage from the Courage of Carly initiative.

Kai was diagnosed with Wilms tumor at two years old. Her family members describe her as very happy and friendly. She likes to dance and is adventurous. 

Courage means when I'm afraid for Kai, I put my trust in my faith.

Kai's mom

Madelyn, age 15

A smiling teen with short hair and glasses sits cross-legged, wearing a tan top, denim shorts, and cowboy boots. Text: “Meet Madelyn, Faces of Courage – Courage of Carly, Age 15, Pilocytic Astrocytoma.”.
Teenager in glasses, tan top, denim shorts, and cowboy boots stands smiling. Colorful lines radiate outward with an inspiring quote about perseverance from the Faces of Courage: Courage of Carly series wrapping around her, attributed to “Madelyn.” White background.

Madelyn was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma at 12 years old. She likes to spend time with friends and family. 

Courage means never giving up, even when life gets hard. Persevere through challenges, even if it is something simple. Courage is being brave enough to not give up.

Kaden, age 11

Kaden -- Faces of Courage
Kaden -- Faces of Courage

Kaden was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth. He likes playing flag football and basketball with his friends. He also enjoys his summer camp and after school program. 

To me courage means to keep pushing and enjoying the things I like to do even though I have sickle cell.

Jackson, age 10

Jackson, Faces of Courage
Jackson, Faces of Courage

Jackson was diagnosed with B-cell Acute lymphoblastic leukemia at eight years old. He loves fishing and any outdoor activities.

Courage means thinking of other things when I am having a bad time.

Myez, age 11

A young girl with long red and black braids smiles, wearing a green Courage of Carly Fund T-shirt and a black cap. As part of the Faces of Courage campaign, text reads, “Meet Myez,” “Faces of Courage,” and “Age 11, Sickle Cell Disease.”.
Myez, Faces of Courage

Myez was diagnosed with sickle cell disease type SS at birth. She loves arts and crafts, science and playing with her dogs.   

Courage to me means doing something even if you’re scared.

Mili, age 9

Mili, Courage of Carly, Faces of Courage
A young child with short hair smiles confidently, standing with arms crossed in a polka-dot shirt and yellow skirt. Colorful rays and a quote about courage, positivity, and perseverance surround them—perfectly capturing the spirit of the Faces of Courage and the inspiring Courage of Carly.

Mili was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at seven years old. She loves science experiments, art, music and beauty care.

Persevering through this journey with courage and positivity and continuing to get up and fight each day with sassy spunk!

Silas, age 4

A young child named Silas, age 4, sits cross-legged holding a stuffed animal above his head. The text reads “Faces of Courage” and highlights the Courage of Carly Faces of Courage program as it shares that he has ependymoma. Colorful shapes decorate the image.
Young child in a striped shirt, jeans, sneakers, and backward cap stands confidently with arms crossed. Quote around them reads: “Courage means to be brave, strong, and to fight like a superhero.” Part of the Courage of Carly Faces of Courage series.

Silas was first diagnosed with ependymoma at three years old and had a recurrence at four. He likes to play in the sandbox, go to swim class, dance and taekwondo. He also likes to cuddle up and have a movie night!

Courage means to be brave, strong, and to fight like a superhero.

Silas, age 4

A young boy sits cross-legged, smiling, and holding a green stuffed animal above his head. Text reads: “Meet Silas. Courage of Carly Faces of Courage. Age 4, Ependymoma.” The background is colorful with yellow and white accents.

Silas was first diagnosed with ependymoma at three years old and had a recurrence at four. He likes to play in the sandbox, go to swim class, dance and taekwondo. He also likes to cuddle up and have a movie night!

Courage means to be brave, strong, and to fight like a superhero.

Miliani, age 9

A young boy sits cross-legged, smiling, and holding a green stuffed animal above his head. Text reads: “Meet Silas. Courage of Carly Faces of Courage. Age 4, Ependymoma.” The background is colorful with yellow and white accents.

Miliani was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at seven years old. She loves science experiments, art, music and beauty care.

Persevering through this journey with courage and positivity and continuing to get up and fight each day with sassy spunk!

Myez, age 11

A young boy sits cross-legged, smiling, and holding a green stuffed animal above his head. Text reads: “Meet Silas. Courage of Carly Faces of Courage. Age 4, Ependymoma.” The background is colorful with yellow and white accents.

Myez was diagnosed with sickle cell disease type SS at birth. She loves arts and crafts, science nd playing with her dogs. 

Courage to me means doing something even if you’re scared.

Madelyn Noelle, age 15

A young boy sits cross-legged, smiling, and holding a green stuffed animal above his head. Text reads: “Meet Silas. Courage of Carly Faces of Courage. Age 4, Ependymoma.” The background is colorful with yellow and white accents.

Madelyn was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma at 12 years old. She likes to spend time with friends and family. “It makes me happy to be with people I love,” said Madelyn.

Courage means never giving up, even when life gets hard. Preserve through challenges, even if it is something simple. Courage is being brave enough to not give up.

Kaden, age 11

A young boy sits cross-legged, smiling, and holding a green stuffed animal above his head. Text reads: “Meet Silas. Courage of Carly Faces of Courage. Age 4, Ependymoma.” The background is colorful with yellow and white accents.

Kaden was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth. He likes playing flag football and basketball with his friends. He also enjoys his summer camp and after school program and Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park.

To me courage means to keep pushing and enjoying the things I like to do even though I have sickle cell.

Kailanys, age 4

A young boy sits cross-legged, smiling, and holding a green stuffed animal above his head. Text reads: “Meet Silas. Courage of Carly Faces of Courage. Age 4, Ependymoma.” The background is colorful with yellow and white accents.

Kailanys was diagnosed with Wilms tumor at two years old. Her parents describe her as very happy and friendly. She likes to dance and is adventurous.

NEED QUOTE

Kaden, age 11

Jackson was diagnosed with B-cell Acute lymphoblastic leukemia at eight years old. I loves fishing and any outdoor activities. “My biggest fish was a 15# sheephead. And the smallest was a 1/2 oz creek Chubb,” said Jackson.

Courage means thinking of other things when I am having a bad time

What does it mean to be a Courage of Carly member?

When a child or young adult (ages 21 and under) receives care through Roswell Park’s Pediatric Hematology Oncology Program, they become eligible to participate in Courage of Carly programs and events. From their very first visit, patients and families have access to enhanced in-clinic support, including play spaces, comfort items and other resources designed to make treatment days a little easier.

Families who choose to become Courage of Carly members join a community built on courage, compassion and hope.

A large group of people in colorful, festive outfits pose under a balloon arch with large lit letters spelling “ROSQUELLA” in an outdoor plaza during daylight, celebrating the spirit of the Courage of Carly and honoring the Faces of Courage.
A diverse group of children and adults smile while sitting and standing on gym mats and an inflatable play structure, suggesting a fun, inclusive indoor playtime or community event supported by the Courage of Carly initiative.

Members receive invitations to year-round events, supportive programs and meaningful experiences for patients, Super Siblings and caregivers that bring joy, create lasting memories and remind families they’re never alone. Whether you attend every event or just one, we’re here whenever you need us.

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.
Contact Megan Crawford to learn more >>>
A mother smiles at her young son who has lost his hair and wears a red shirt reading Jack attack

Having a kid with cancer, your whole world is turned upside down. But there’s research being done and there’s funding for it. We’re so appreciative that people give; they don’t know how much their generosity impacts us.

– Amy, Jack’s mom

A mother holds her daughter, a patient at Roswell Park

We love it here. We love everybody. You don’t want to be here, of course, but they make it really nice.

– Dominique,
Lily’s mom

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