We founded Strides for Sarcoma because childhood cancer has forever shaped our lives. As twins, we grew up witnessing the realities of pediatric cancer when our cousin Maddox was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at just three years old. Hospital rooms became a second home, and our family experienced both the heartbreak of uncertainty and the hope that comes with remission.

Just as we believed cancer was behind us, Maddox’s little sister, Maia, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma at only six years old. Watching two children we loved fight for their lives revealed a devastating truth: pediatric cancers are underfunded and desperately in need of better treatment options.

We founded Strides for Sarcoma after Maia’s relapse, when it became painfully clear how limited the treatment options are for children with sarcoma. On November 2, 2025, Maia gained her angel wings. While her loss deepened our grief, it strengthened our resolve. In her honor, we are committed to advancing innovative research, supporting childhood cancer warriors and their families, and working toward a future where sarcoma is no longer a life-limiting diagnosis.