For a family navigating pediatric cancer, the journey is a relentless marathon. It is filled with doctors visits, treatments, hospital stays, and profound emotional exhaustion that touches everyone. As a cancer foundation for children and families, our work at the CarsonStrong™ Foundation is centered around providing support during these most difficult times.
We created The Gift of Time Together program to give families a vital, temporary escape from the daily pressure of a diagnosis. It is more than a trip; it is a much-needed pause that lets a family recharge, reconnect, and simply be together. These moments provide the emotional fuel needed for the long road ahead. We are honored to share one of these powerful experiences with you.
This is Maddi’s story.
A Childhood Interrupted by Cancer
Maddi is an outgoing, sweet, silly 6-year-old who has been battling Stage IV Neuroblastoma for most of her young life. Her childhood has been defined by a challenge no family should face. Maddi was initially diagnosed during the pandemic, forcing her to spend most of her time at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, far away from her home and family in Louisiana.
After completing a grueling treatment protocol, the family returned home, longing for a return to normal. They soon received the devastating news that the cancer was not gone. Maddi would have to undergo even more treatment.
Amidst this heavy reality, Maddi held onto a simple, powerful childhood wish: she loved Peppa Pig and dreamed of going to a theme park. Her wish represented a moment of pure, normal childhood, a small dream in the shadow of a very large fight. This is a common story our foundation hears, and it’s why providing this kind of cancer support for children and families is so essential.
Creating a Moment of Pure Childhood Joy
When The Gift of Time Together team learned about Maddi’s dream, they immediately set to work. After some research, they found the perfect destination: Peppa Pig Land, located inside Legoland in Florida.
Planning a trip for a family in active treatment requires special care and coordination. Our team worked directly with Maddi’s mom to schedule the trip around Maddi’s demanding chemotherapy cycle, ensuring every detail was handled.
With the logistics managed, Maddi’s mom packed up her and her younger brother for the long drive to Florida. For a few wonderful days, their world shifted entirely from hospital rooms to pure adventure. They spent their time exploring the Legoland parks, saving the best for last: the much-anticipated visit to Peppa Pig Land.
The trip also created space for another priceless family milestone. They had a special photoshoot where Maddi proudly wore her Kindergarten graduation cap and gown, allowing them to capture a moment of celebration and childhood achievement that cancer so often tries to overshadow.
The Power of a Pause
After returning home from their adventure, Maddi’s mom shared the real impact of their getaway. Her words perfectly communicate the “why” behind The Gift of Time Together program:
“Our much-needed mini vacay was amazing. Now we are refreshed for this next cycle of chemo.”
This message is at the very core of our mission. The trip was not just a vacation; it was a critical, restorative experience. It provided a protected space for Maddi’s family to set aside the stress of treatment and simply be a family, creating joyful memories together.
This is the tangible work of a true cancer foundation for children and families. It is about creating a space of reprieve and renewal to be able to muster up the resilience and emotional strength needed to return to the hospital and continue the fight. For Maddi and her family, this gift of time was a vital reset, replenishing their spirits for the next cycle. Keep fighting, Maddi! We’re with you every step of the way!
How You Can Help
Maddi’s restorative trip to Peppa Pig Land is a perfect example of why our mission is so vital. Your generosity as part of the CarsonStrong community enables us to continue this essential cancer support for children and families.
When you give, you are funding an all-expenses-paid experience, covering every detail so families like Maddi’s can focus completely on creating lasting, positive memories together. You are giving them the power of a pause and the strength to keep fighting.
[Learn more about The Gift of Time Together program]
