About CCA

We Call It Joy Rx

The Need

Few things are as devastating as a child diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Young patients and their families are quickly thrust into an unfamiliar and often frightening world of medical decisions and hospital protocols. At the same time, they are typically coping with emotional upheaval and financial anxiety. Their needs go well beyond what even the best medical care can provide. How do we know? We've been there.

Out of Experience

CCA is the voice of experience, compassion and hope for families whose needs extend beyond medical treatment. CCA was established in loving memory of five-year-old Alexandra Ellis who courageously fought cancer for two and a half years before she died on May 7, 1995. In the year of Alexandra's death, CCA was born.

Who We Serve

CCA offers award-winning programs and resources to seriously ill children (from birth to 18), their families and the medical professionals who care for them. Every program and resource we offer is available to seriously ill children and families that live or seek treatment in Oregon and SW Washington and many of our resources are also available to children, families and medical professionals nationwide.

What We Do

When seriously ill kids and their families need more than medicine, CCA is there with compassion and innovation creating moments of respite and hope, in the hospital and at home. Managed by a professional staff and powered by volunteers, CCA brings soothing music in a time of crisis, friendship in a time of loneliness, resources in a time of turmoil and vital support in the midst of life-threatening illness. We call it Joy Rx.

Joy Rx is a unique combination of resources and programs that bring hope, possibility and a little magic to some of the most difficult days families will ever face.

Click here to download our FAQ sheet (PDF).