Carson’s Crusaders Foundation is on a mission to provide support and assistance to children and families who are affected by pediatric cancers.
Carson Thomas Richardson, the namesake of the foundation, was a typical, happy, sweet little boy. At three-and-a-half years old, Carson was diagnosed with Stage IV Hepatoblastoma, a solid tumor childhood cancer originating in the liver. After four months of chemotherapy and a liver resection, all signs of the cancer were gone. Four months later the cancer was back.
The family would spend the rest of Carson’s life fighting.
Over the next few years, Carson would endure over fifty rounds of chemo, days and nights in the hospital, seven surgeries, weeks of daily radiation, hundreds of blood draws and IVs, countless doctor visits, blood transfusions, hair and hearing loss, a clinical trial, and treatment out of the country.
Though the family fought with all they had, on February 27, 2010, Carson left this world and returned to his Heavenly Father.
Carson’s Crusaders Foundation was founded to continue the work Carson would do if he was able. With his sweet personality and giving spirit as inspiration, Carson’s Crusaders Foundation carries on his legacy through its Transportation Program, Sibling Superstar Program, and Paint the Town Gold initiatives.
Did you know the average cost of a pediatric cancer diagnosis is over $840,000 spanning three years? The emotional impact of a child with cancer is devastating, and managing the staggering financial toxicity of the treatment is practically impossible. A cancer diagnosis in a child is devastating for the entire family, but it can be especially difficult for the siblings. Brothers and sisters are often scared, jealous, angry, or lonely. They frequently struggle in school and in other social situations.
Carson’s brother, Collin, is the inspiration for the Sibling Superstar Program. Collin’s wish is to help other siblings who are living through the battle that he fought alongside Carson. The foundation hosts Superstar Sibling Events and delivers seasonal and birthday gifts for the brothers and sisters of pediatric cancer patients throughout the year.
In 12 years, Carson’s legacy has raised over $2 million dollars for more than 1,100 precious, local families enduring the unthinkable. As good stewards of donations, Carson’s Crusaders Foundation has funded more than 45,000 trips to the hospital for life saving cancer treatments and distributed over $1 million in direct assistance, including gas cards, parking, sibling gifts, Superstar activities, scholarships, and more, to deserving families. It has also invested in programs to promote local education and advocacy for pediatric cancer awareness through our Paint the Town Gold initiatives.
The foundation provides direct assistance to patient families at Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas, Children’s Medical Center Dallas and Legacy Campus in Plano, Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth and McLane Children’s Hospital in Temple, TX.
The foundation raises money through direct donations and three major fundraising events throughout the year. Visit https://carsonscrusadersfoundation.org/ for information and registration.