On March 17th, our world was irrevocably shattered. What began as a simple trip to the emergency room with our five-year-old daughter, Journee, for vomiting and unbearable stomach pains quickly turned into a nightmare. In a matter of hours, we were told the unimaginable: Journee has an inoperable low-grade glioma brain tumor.

Our bright, beautiful child’s life was forever altered in the blink of an eye. How do you begin to explain that to a child so young? How do you break the news to her siblings, to our family, to the people who love her, when everything we thought we knew about the future suddenly feels uncertain and fragile? It’s a pain that can’t be put into words, a devastation that no parent should ever have to endure.

Amidst the overwhelming chaos and suffocating uncertainty, a beacon of light entered our hospital room. A child life volunteer, with a warm smile that seemed to cut through the tension, leaned down and gently asked, “Hey Journee, what are your favorite toys?” In that instant, something miraculous happened. For the first time in days, our precious little girl’s face broke into a radiant smile. In that moment, she wasn’t a patient. She wasn’t fighting for her life. She was just Journee—our joyful, playful, vibrant child once more.

Surrounded by toys, games, and the endless activities the hospital had provided to ease her burden, she was momentarily free from the weight of her medical struggles. For a fleeting moment, the world outside that sterile room melted away, and our daughter was simply a little girl again—innocent, full of wonder, and filled with a joy that had seemed so distant just hours before.

Sadly, there are countless families whose lives have been irrevocably altered, their worlds now revolving around the unrelenting cycle of visits to Cook Children’s Medical Center—whether it’s for emergency care, treatments, scans, or routine check-ups. For these families, the hospital becomes a second home, a place filled with uncertainty and fear. Yet, amid the sterile walls and the clinical hum of machines, there is always someone—whether a nurse, a volunteer, or a child life specialist—there to offer comfort, to bring a sense of normalcy, and to help ease the pain of the children enduring this unimaginable journey.

Inspired by the profound care she received, Journee made a decision that moved us all. She wanted to help bring a spark of joy to another child facing their own battle. The toys, games, and activities that gave Journee a fleeting sense of normalcy during her darkest hours were made possible by the generosity of people like you. It is through donations—through the kindness of strangers—that children like Journee are able to feel hope, even when the future feels uncertain.

Your donation to Ball For Journee can help bring that same light into the life of a child who needs it most. It can help put a smile on a frightened face, provide comfort during a painful procedure, and offer a moment of peace amidst the chaos. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. Please, consider donating and help us give hope to the children who need it most. Your generosity can change a life.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to provide support, resources, and advocacy for children with chronic illnesses, with a special focus on brain tumors and vision loss. We aim to empower these children and their families, raise awareness in the community, and work towards ensuring access to quality care and treatment.