Journey 4 A Cure

No parent wants to hear that their child has been diagnosed with cancer. The goal of the Ashburn-based foundation, Journey 4 a Cure, is to raise funds for cancer research so that fewer kids are diagnosed with cancer and those who are have a better chance of beating the odds.

“Our goal is for doctors to identify pediatric cancer sooner and provide less harmful treatment strategies,” said the organization’s President, Beth Collingwood.

Collingwood’s nephew, Declan Carmical, was diagnosed with AT/RT, a rare and deadly form of pediatric cancer, in March 2010 when he was only 7 months old. He was treated for 5 months until he lost his battle with the disease on August 18, 2010. 

Journey 4 a Cure was born out of tragedy, in the fall of 2010. Just this week it received its 501c3 status and is getting ready to announce a partnership with Bear Necessities, which is a national pediatric cancer foundation.

“We’ve had so much support,” said Collingwood. “Now we are trying to remedy gaps is the system as far as research is concerned. We want better, less harmful treatment strategies.”

Research has been limited, however, due to lack of funding. Journey 4 a Cure hopes to help increase research funding by raising awareness about pediatric cancer and pursuing fundraising efforts. By partnering with Bear Necessities, a larger organization, Journey 4 a Cure hopes to make a stronger impact.

“We can’t do it on our own,” said Collingwood. “The best way to make a dent is to pool our money.”

Whereas the founders of Journey 4 a Cure want to put most of their funds toward finding a cure for pediatric cancer, they also want to help families that have been affected by the disease. They have done so in many ways, such as recently gifting a sixteen-year-old cancer patient in Kentucky an iPod touch.

“It was such a small thing that made a huge difference and we want to do more things like this,” said Collingwood.

Journey 4 a Cure also wants to honor Declan’s memory by telling his story in an uplifting way. When Declan was diagnosed, the family began a blog called “Declan’s Journey,” which kept friends and family abreast of his treatments and progress. The website helped raise awareness in and around the Ashburn community and Declan Carmical came to touch so many people’s hearts. It was through that avenue that Journey 4 a Cure was born.

There are two major fundraisers coming up that anyone can get involved with:

• , Saturday, April 30. Start at the Sport & Health in Brambleton. The 10k starts at 7:45 a.m. and the 5k starts at 8 a.m.
• Go All In for Pediatric Cancer! Journey 4 A Cure Poker Tournament, Sunday, May 1, Best Western, 10820 Balls Ford Rd, Manassas VA. Games begin at 2 p.m.

Supporters of Journey 4 A Cure have also come up with some innovative ways to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Parents have asked guests for donations in lieu of birthday gifts for their children, and couples have donated money to the cause instead of giving away favors at their weddings.

“It’s all about the big picture,” said Collingwood. 

And every little bit helps.