The SammyStrong Foundation is a nonprofit founded by Sarah Wemhoff-Strawn and her husband Joe Strawn after their youngest son, Sammy, was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer at age nine. SammyStrong is dedicated to bringing light and strength to other kids and families who are bravely battling pediatric brain cancer. They provide financial resources to connect families with whatever they need at the moment, whether its airfare, gas, groceries, or even helping to pay rent. Their mission is rooted in love, hope, and the unwavering belief that no family should face this journey alone. They have recently started a podcast called “On Deck—Warrior Stories” to help connect families.
Edge: How does The SammyStrong Foundation raise money to help families?
Sarah: We build sponsorships and donations by holding three fundraisers throughout the year, including the annual 5K and Home Run Derby held at Werner Park. We’re trying to raise awareness because the more people know about us, the more kids and families we’re able to help.
Edge: How do families respond when the foundation offers to help them financially?
Sarah: They often don’t want to ask for help, but we’ve been on this journey, too. I explain that we understand what they are going through. We were able to get a couple plane tickets for a family, but the mom had never been on a flight before and didn’t even know what a carry-on was. We Facetimed as she picked out luggage from Target. Our emphasis is on anything that we can do to take that small stuff off those families plates so they can focus on what they’re needing to do.
Edge: You can relate to these families because you’ve been through it yourself. How did Sammy’s pediatric brain cancer diagnosis affect your family?
Sarah: You took the words out of my mouth. Anyone who’s had to deal with this kind of diagnosis knows that it affects everybody, just an inner ripple effect. We have two older kids as well. Lauren, our middle child, said it best, “It was like everything was just normal. And then one day it just wasn’t ever normal again.”
Edge: What was it like dealing with this during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in 2020?
Sarah: Joe and I weren’t able to be at the hospital at the same time because of the regulations, and Landon and Lauren couldn’t see Sam because siblings weren’t allowed to come to the hospital. Through the first surgery and then the second surgery, we were just trying to do the best that we could, not only for what we needed to do for Sam, but also for the other two because their world was also turned upside down. We’re still working through that journey.
Edge: What was the experience like for Sammy?
Sammy: It was hard and scary. I’m just glad to have family and friends who care.
Edge: Were there any special gestures or events that helped with Sammy’s recovery?
Sarah: Sammy lives and breathes baseball, and the Cubs are his team. Baseball was a big part of his “why” he wanted to recover. He received a text and a video from [Major League Baseball player] Anthony Rizzo. He also received a 2016 World Series ring from a classmate’s family.
Sammy: I remember after my second surgery, we were staying at the FedEx family house and I pitched a basketball to my dad.
Sarah: It was only three days after his surgery. He and Joe went down the play area and I watched him pitch the soft basketball. It was terrifying, but I loved the moment too.
Edge: How is your life different from a typical eighth grader now?
Sammy: It isn’t really. I go to baseball practice and play golf.
Sarah: There are different things we still continue to work through, but we’ll take all the normal that we can get.
Edge: Sammy, do you have any words of advice for another child facing brain cancer?
Sammy: Trust God and find people who want to help you.
To listen to the podcast or learn more, visit www.gosammystrong.com.
