15-year-old hosts birthday fundraiser for childhood cancer patients

Julia Weaver, 15, of Victoria, Texas, is a competitive dancer who loves hip hop, jazz, tap, pointe and ballet. She’s also a member of the Heritage Homeschool 4H Club, where she’s practiced in archery, art, photography and cooking. In her free time she focuses on helping others, particularly children and teens with cancer at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital.

At the end of the school year, I was assigned a public service project. I got to thinking: I really don’t want or need anything for my birthday. Why not get something for other people who may not be as fortunate?

My mind immediately went to MD Anderson. When I was 8, my grandmother was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma. She was treated at MD Anderson and underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in October 2013. We were so grateful to have her come home, cancer-free, that November.

I wanted to help as much as I could in return.

We contacted MD Anderson’s Development Division and learned about the MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital’s wish list for pediatric patients. I also created my own birthday fundraiser through Fundraise to End Cancer, MD Anderson’s peer-to-peer fundraising platform.

I was surprised and amazed by how much my family and friends supported my idea. We collected more than 40 items from the wish list and raised more than $400 through my fundraising page.

To those who supported my birthday fundraiser and who support children with cancer in other ways, thank you. To others who may be able to help, look around at all the great things you have and remember that some people aren’t as fortunate. Try to support those who have less than we do.

Do you promise? Tell us why you’re committed to Making Cancer History® by sending an email to promise@mdanderson.org. To learn how you can be a part of MD Anderson’s Fundraise to End Cancer program, visit www.mdanderson.org/Fundraise.