The American Cancer Society is the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. We are the only organization improving the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
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In 2025, it’s estimated that 9,620 children (0-14) and 5,290 adolescents (15-19) will be diagnosed with cancer in the U.S., with 1,040 children and 550 adolescents expected to die from the disease. Through our commitment of over $29 million dollars in funding that currently supports 49 childhood cancer research grants, we will find new answers that will help every child and their family affected by cancer.
At the tender age of five, Emily was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma – a rare, cancerous tumor affecting the retina of the eye. After surgery and treatment, her eye was removed and replaced with a prosthetic.
How does a little girl and her family even begin to grasp the weight of the three words: “Emily has cancer”? Such a profound and frightening concept was beyond their comprehension. Yet, those words marked the beginning of a journey that would shape her life in ways she could never have imagined.
As fate would have it, her life has come full circle. Today, she finds herself working at the American Cancer Society, dedicating her efforts to the very cause that once seemed so distant and daunting. Her personal battle has transformed into a mission to support and inspire others facing similar struggles.
Emily, who now has a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy, is happily living life in remission as a pediatric cancer survivor. By the time she finished high school, Emily had raised over $18k for the American Cancer Society through the initiative, “Dig Pink”, a volleyball fundraiser aimed to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness where she received multiple awards and recognitions.
She went on to graduate Cum Laude from the University of South Florida where she mentored students with disabilities, tutored underprivileged students at a local nonprofit, and interned at the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. In 2018, Emily was honored to be officially published as a TED.com speaker for her TEDx talk “Life Through One Eye,” presented at the University of South Florida.
Emily currently oversees the execution and fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society’s Golf Classic & Orlando Cattle Baron’s Ball.
We are proud to have Emily & her family joining us to share their story.
