When someone in your family receives a cancer diagnosis, everything changes. Suddenly, your regular routine gives way to appointments, decisions, and a whole new vocabulary you never asked to learn. It’s easy to get caught up in it all and harder to make time for the little moments that mean the most.
The CarsonStrong™ Foundation is a Northeast Ohio-based nonprofit dedicated to walking beside you through all of it, providing compassionate support, meaningful programs, and moments of joy that remind your family of what matters most.
We Are Part of This Community
Our foundation was born from personal loss and an unwavering desire to turn that pain into purpose. When Debbie and John Higgins lost their son Carson to cancer in 2016, they made a promise: no family in their community would have to face this alone. We are headquartered in Stow, Ohio, deeply rooted in Northeast Ohio, and committed to showing up for every family that needs us.
Reaching Families When It Matters Most
The right support at the right moment can change everything for a family. We partner directly with social work teams at Akron Children’s Hospital and leading Cleveland-area medical centers to reach families early, before exhaustion sets in, and connect them with real resources right away.
Programs Designed Around Your Family
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every program we run is centered around each individual family and what they actually need during the hardest seasons of their lives.
The Gift of Time Together: Treatment schedules, hospital visits, and the constant weight of a diagnosis leave little room for loved ones to simply be together. This program changes that. We fund the full cost of trips and experiences that give families a genuine break, time to reconnect, laugh, and build memories that carry them through the difficult days ahead.
Augment Therapy: A child in recovery deserves more than repetitive exercises and clinical settings. Augment Therapy uses augmented reality to turn physical therapy into an immersive, game-based adventure. Children move, engage, and build strength while having fun. We fund this technology in regional hospitals because we believe joy is part of healing.
Our Impact in Northeast Ohio
- Direct Partnerships with Akron Children’s Hospital and Cleveland-area medical centers.
- $2 Million+ Raised to improve the lives of families facing a cancer diagnosis.
- 100+ Families Supported across 27 states.
How You Can Help
Join Us at a Local Event
Our signature events bring the community together around a shared purpose. Join us at the Night of Hope Gala, the Carson Higgins Memorial Golf Outing, or Purse Bingo for an unforgettable experience that directly funds our programs.
Become a Carson’s Champion
Our monthly giving club is the steady engine behind everything we do. When you become one of Carson’s Champions, your recurring gift ensures we can always answer the call for a family in crisis, no matter the time of year.
Bring Your Business Into the Mission
Your business can make a real difference. Learn more about our corporate sponsorship opportunities and show the Northeast Ohio community that your company stands behind its neighbors when it counts most.
Standing Together in Northeast Ohio
Every family deserves a community that shows up for them. If you are facing a diagnosis and need support, we are here for you. If you are in a position to give, your generosity changes lives right here in Northeast Ohio. Together, we are CarsonStrong™.
