There are moments that don’t just stay with you—they settle into your heart and quietly change you. This was one of those moments. And it all began with a simple question: What can I do to help?
When I listened to Jessica Siderio, Rally Foundation’s Development Manager for the Gulf Coast, state that approximately 93 cents of every dollar goes directly to the mission, I was already moved by the care and integrity behind that kind of stewardship. But what truly stayed with me were the stories—the real lives behind the numbers.
Every single day, 47 children are diagnosed with cancer. Right here along the Gulf Coast, that number is 50 a year.
Fifty families waking up to a reality they never imagined. Fifty children showing a level of courage most of us will never be asked to carry.
And yet, within that heartbreak, there is also something incredibly powerful—people who choose to show up.
Rally Gulf Coast began with one of those people. Director Cindi Bonner didn’t set out to build something big—she simply wanted to help her 4-year-old neighbor who had been diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma. That family was overwhelmed, navigating fear and uncertainty, and she stepped in. She created a website and Facebook page to keep loved ones informed, giving that family space to focus on their daughter.
That one act of love grew into something extraordinary!
Today, Rally Gulf Coast has raised over $5 million and supports families across the Florida panhandle, South Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Located inside Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart, they meet families in the moments they need it most—through programs like the Family Emergency Fund and Rally Good Meal program, offering both practical help and heartfelt connection.
But for me, it became personal when I listened to Jenn Shashaty—a mom. Her words were gentle, but they carried so much weight. She shared how something as simple as a meal meant everything to her family during treatment. In the middle of exhaustion, fear, and uncertainty, a warm meal wasn’t just food—it was relief. It was comfort. It was someone saying, we see you, and we care.
Her story stayed with me.
As a mom, I couldn’t help but put myself in the shoes of each mom. I thought about my own children, and how quickly life can change. And in that moment, the words didn’t just move me—they called me to action. I found myself asking, how can I help?
Because the truth is, helping doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as showing up, offering a meal, or becoming part of something that is already doing incredible work. Even a monthly donation of $20 can make a lasting impact—helping provide meals, support, and resources to families walking through the unimaginable.
Behind every meal is a moment of relief.
Behind every dollar is a family who feels a little less alone.
Behind every story is a child who deserves every ounce of hope we can give.
So I’ll ask you the same question that started it all—
How can you help?
Because sometimes, the smallest act of kindness becomes the thing someone never forgets.
