For St. Jude Heroes Emily Boyles and her 7-year-old son Connor, cancer has been uncomfortably close.
The family experienced childhood cancer firsthand when Max, Connor's “first-ever best friend,” was diagnosed with leukemia.
St. Jude Heroes Emily and her son, Connor (front). They started raising money for St. Jude when Connor's best friend was diagnosed with leukemia.
I truly didn’t understand the magnitude of what kids with cancer and their families experienced. After seeing what Max went through, I knew we had to do something to help.
When Max beat his cancer, Emily decided she wanted to support childhood cancer research, but was uncertain of the best way to make an impact.
Through her research, she learned more about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food.
Connor (right) hugs his best friend, Max, who has leukemia. Connor fundraised for St. Jude as a St. Jude Hero in the 2018 Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon.
Supporters like Connor, who was the top fundraising St. Jude Hero for the 2018 Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon, prove that individuals of any age and background can make a positive impact for childhood cancer research.
He and his mom participated in the one-mile run this year.
Families experiencing childhood cancer should only have to worry about helping their child live. We chose to support St. Jude so those families can walk away without having to pay any bills, and because St. Jude shares its research freely worldwide.
Connor couldn’t wait to get involved to help kids like his best friend, Max.
On Connor’s seventh birthday, he asked his friends for donations to St. Jude instead of gifts and raised $700.
Emily said her son, Connor, is her daily inspiration.
Connor feels the same about Max. "I want people to donate to St. Jude, because it's really hard for kids to go through sickness," he said. "Max inspired me to do it."
We anticipate running as St. Jude Heroes again. But the real hero to us is Max.
Help our families focus on their sick child, not medical bills.
When you donate monthly, your gift means families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
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