Until shortly before his ninth birthday, Riley was a healthy, energetic, soccer-playing kid, always on the go and full of life. Then, during one of his games, his mom Kristina, an emergency department nurse, noticed something was wrong. Riley seemed unusually tired and short of breath, and “he just wasn’t himself.”

A few urgent hospital visits later, Riley and Kristina found themselves traveling from Maine to Boston Children’s Hospital. There they finally received an answer, no parent ever wants to hear: Riley had angiosarcoma, a very rare and aggressive cancer. Overnight, their world changed. Kristina left her job to be by his side through repeated rounds of chemotherapy and long hospital stays, and the family suddenly went from two incomes to one while facing the biggest challenge of their lives.

During this incredibly difficult time, One Mission’s programs at Boston Children’s became a lifeline for Riley and his family.

The One Mission Resource Room quickly turned into a place of comfort and escape. Riley loved working on craft projects, giving him a chance to be creative and have fun, instead of just “being a patient.” For Kristina, simple activities like coloring canvas bags provided a much-needed mental break and a moment to breathe.

Kristina shares, “The One Mission programs give you something to look forward to when the days are super long and help you focus on more than your kid being ill. The parking vouchers and meals have lifted such a burden for our now one-income family. One Mission truly rolls out the red carpet for these kids and families and when your life has been turned upside down, that’s an incredible benefit.”

Because of you, families like Riley’s have nourishing meals, help with parking costs, and positive distractions that bring comfort and joy during their hardest days.