When I was 15, I was a sophomore in high school when my life changed forever — I was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. The months that followed included chemotherapy, radiation, and countless hospital visits, which brought immense emotional and financial challenges for my family and me. Through it all, our faith and the power of prayer sustained us. I truly believe that I would not have survived without God’s guidance, strength, and protection — all glory to Him.

 

Even during the most difficult moments, we were uplifted by the incredible support from family, friends, volunteers, our community, local law enforcement, and first responders. Those acts of kindness, combined with our faith, gave us hope and strength when we needed it most.

 

After going into remission, I knew I wanted to give back. I wanted to bring hope, comfort, and joy to children and families facing similar challenges, especially during the holidays. That desire became the Jasmine Strong Annual Toy Drive — a mission to support children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

 

Over the past seven years, the toy drive has grown from a small local effort into a regional initiative, reaching children’s hospitals and support organizations across the Pacific Northwest. With the partnership of Walmart, Walmart Transportation, and the unwavering support of local law enforcement agencies, first responders, volunteers, and our community, we deliver toys, gifts, and essentials to children and families. In addition to toys, we are proud to support Ronald McDonald Houses, where we’ve delivered gifts and, most recently, provided food to help families during the holidays. Every contribution helps families focus on what matters most — spending time together, making memories, and finding moments of joy during challenging times.

 

Being 7 years cancer-free and seeing the toy drive grow each year has been incredibly rewarding. The Jasmine Strong Toy Drive is deeply personal — it is an opportunity to turn my own experience into something meaningful, spread hope, and remind families that they are never alone. Every donation, volunteer, prayer, and act of support demonstrates the incredible power of faith, community, and giving back.