Cleveland Ohio Landmarks - Carson Strong Cancer Research Foundation in Cleveland OH

Cancer Support Foundation in Cleveland, OH

In a city as strong and resilient as Cleveland, no family should have to face a cancer diagnosis alone. When the journey becomes overwhelming, the CarsonStrong Foundation is here to help. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the entire family—the patient, parents, and siblings—by providing comfort, joy, and much-needed relief right here in our community.

What Does a Cancer Support Foundation Do?

We serve cancer-affected families in Cleveland, OH

For families in the Cleveland area, a cancer support foundation provides a crucial layer of help that goes beyond medical treatment. While doctors focus on physical health, we focus on the emotional and mental well-being of the whole family.

We understand the overwhelming toll this journey takes. Our mission is to ease that burden by providing:

  • Relief: A much-needed break from the daily grind of hospital visits, appointments, and treatments.
  • Comfort: Tools and resources that bring moments of joy and normalcy to children in long-term hospital stays.
  • Support: A community that understands what you are going through and is dedicated to helping you navigate the emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
$1.5 million Raised
70 families served

Supporting Cleveland Families: Our Mission

The CarsonStrong Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of children and families impacted by cancer and other significant life challenges.

We were founded in 2017 to honor Carson Higgins, a little boy with a “happy heart” whose courageous spirit inspired a community.

We understand that when cancer (whether it be childhood cancer or a parent’s diagnosis) strikes a family, the effects are felt by everyone. Our programs are designed to provide comfort, support, and relief to children, parents, and siblings navigating this difficult journey.

Our Story: From Pain To Purpose

The CarsonStrong™ Foundation was founded in 2017 in memory of Carson Higgins, a courageous boy who fought Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. During his 12 years, Carson embodied joy, resilience, and generosity, inspiring everyone around him. While on his “Trip of a Lifetime” with his family, Carson passed away—but his legacy continues to inspire our mission every day.

Through it all, they witnessed firsthand the overwhelming emotional and mental toll this diagnosis inflicts on the entire family—the patient, parents, and siblings. Today, Carson’s legacy is one of strength and community. We are his legacy, guided by a dedicated team committed to helping families in Cleveland and beyond find joy and comfort.er.

Our Focused Approach


Our mission is born from the unique and heartbreaking battle of childhood cancers and the impact cancer has on the entire family unit. While many vital organizations focus on prevalent adult cancers, such as lung cancer or prostate cancer, or exclusively on funding medical research, our approach is different.

We focus on supporting the entire family’s emotional and mental well-being by providing relief, therapy, and educational support. We are committed to helping families facing all types of Cancer by focusing on the family unit rather than only the patient’s physical treatment.th.

CarsonStrong™ by the Numbers

  • $2 million+ raised for cancer programs
  • 100+ families supported through the Gift of Time Together program
  • 27 states reached with direct family support
  • $175,000 invested in Augment Therapy at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital
  • $75,000 contributed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
  • $67,500 given to Stewart’s Caring Place in Akron
  • $60,000 donated to Victory Gallop
  • $22,000 granted to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs
  • $17,000 raised for the Boy Scouts
  • $127,000 awarded in scholarships to deserving students

How We Help


We provide support to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio families through three main programs, each designed to offer a different kind of support.

Our Programs for the Cleveland Community

 

The Gift of Time Together

Gifts families an all-inclusive escape to spend crucial time as a family. This could be a flight from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to a sunny beach, a quiet cabin by a river, or a fun-filled family ‘staycation’ to enjoy the Cleveland Metroparks.

Augment Therapy

Funds Augment Therapy at local centers like UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. This is an Augmented Reality (AR) system that uses tablets to turn physical therapy into an immersive, game-like experience. (It makes rehab feel almost as fun as watching the Guardians!)

The Carson Higgins Memorial Scholarship

Invests in the future of our community’s youth. This educational fund recognizes graduates of Revere Local Schools, helping them pursue their dreams across Ohio and beyond, including local institutions like Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University.

Your Questions Answered

The CarsonStrong Foundation offers support through three main programs, which you can see in the table above: “The Gift of Time Together” (all-inclusive relief trips and experiences), “Augment Therapy” (funding for comfort items and therapeutic tools), and “The Carson Higgins Memorial Scholarship.”

Our programs are designed to help families impacted by a cancer diagnosis. This includes families with a child battling Childhood Cancer or those where a parent has been diagnosed.

Yes, the CarsonStrong Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Our focus is different. While many vital organizations fund medical research, our mission is to support the entire family’s emotional and mental well-being during their cancer journey by providing relief, therapy, and comfort.

We are committed to helping families facing all types of cancer, whether it is pediatric cancer or a parent’s diagnosis.

You can click the “Donate Now” button on this page or visit our donation page directly: https://givebutter.com/carsonstrongfoundation. Your contribution directly supports programs that provide comfort and joy to local families facing a cancer diagnosis.

The foundation was created to honor the legacy of Carson Higgins, who battled neuroblastoma for 10 years. His family witnessed the immense emotional toll cancer takes on the patient, parents, and siblings, and they created CarsonStrong to help other families find joy and comfort on their journey.

Support Cleveland Families Today

You can make a difference for a local family navigating the hardest time of their lives. Whether you need support or want to give support, we are here for you.

For Families: If your family is in Cleveland or Northeast Ohio and facing a cancer diagnosis, we are here to help. Reach out to learn more about our support programs.

For Donors: Your donation directly supports families in our community. Help us provide comfort, joy, and relief to a local family when they need it most.