When you meet Jackson Wood, it’s easy to see why so many people have rallied behind him. With an infectious smile and a brave spirit, Jackson has endured more in his young life than most ever will. Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) just after turning three, he and his family have faced years of hospital stays, treatments, and uncertainty. But out of this journey came something remarkable—a mission to make life a little brighter for other children fighting their own battles.
It all started in November 2022. After Jackson took a fall and began limping, his parents, Daniel and Robyn, grew concerned when he wasn’t improving. Several trips to specialists and countless tests later, their pediatrician finally discovered an enlarged spleen and sent them back to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for further testing. Bloodwork confirmed what no parent ever wants to hear: Jackson had B-cell ALL, a type of leukemia that requires intensive, multi-year treatment.
The first 30 days were grueling. Known as the induction phase, Jackson endured around-the-clock chemotherapy, bone marrow biopsies, and long weeks in the hospital. He was finally able to come home just before Christmas. But the fight was far from over. The following year, Jackson was hospitalized multiple times with complications from treatment, including serious liver issues that kept him in and out of the hospital throughout the summer.
Alongside his cancer treatments, Jackson is also working hard on his speech development as he overcomes Apraxia, a condition which affects speech and language. Each milestone is celebrated as a testament to his resilience and determination to thrive despite every obstacle.
Through it all, the Parkland community stepped in and showed up. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers offered to help, sending prayers, meals, and even financial support. Daniel, who owns Woody & Sons Disposal, remembers the overwhelming kindness that poured in. That compassion lit a fire in him to find a way to give back.
During Jackson’s countless hospital stays, one small ritual brought a bit of happiness after difficult treatments—the chance to pick a toy from the hospital's toy chest. But over time, Daniel noticed the selection was often picked over, especially for the youngest patients. “You could tell how much it meant to the kids,” he recalls. “It was something to look forward to after all the pain.”
In July 2024, while Jackson was still receiving treatment, the Wood family launched Jackson’s Journey, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to restocking toy boxes at Children’s Hospital and supporting other families facing childhood cancer. Their mission is simple: to bring joy and comfort, just as others did for them.
Every donated toy—big or small—makes a difference. It’s important to note that all toys must be new, and not pre-owned. Many children receiving treatment are immunocompromised, and exposure to bacteria or viruses on pre-loved toys can pose serious health risks. Donating new toys in their original packaging, helps reduce risk for this vulnerable group of little fighters to avoid any further complications.
Monetary donations are also a vital part of Jackson’s Journey. These funds allow Jackson himself to do something that fills his heart with happiness: personally picking out toys for the other children.
The smile on his face when he gets to choose bright, colorful gifts says it all. In many ways, this tradition has become part of his own healing. It’s not just about delivering toys—it’s about giving back, connecting with other families, and feeling the joy of helping others walk the same road he’s traveled.
When kids who are recovering from chemo or surgery get the chance to pick a toy, it can bring a sense of hope–a shred of normalcy, even if for just a moment in their otherwise frightening world. Whether it’s a Squishmallow, a stuffed animal, or an art kit, any new toy can lift a child’s spirits on their hardest of days.
This February marked a milestone that Jackson and his family had been dreaming of from the very beginning. After more than three years of chemotherapy, countless lab draws, and more obstacles than any child should face, Jackson finally rang the bell that signals the end of treatment. That moment was filled with tears, cheers, and a sense of triumph that words can hardly express. The bell rang not just in honor of Jackson’s courage, but for every child still fighting and every family holding onto hope.
You can support Jackson’s Journey by donating a gift that is sure to bring a smile to a child in need, or if you’d rather, monetary donations are accepted via Venmo. This ensures Jackson can keep filling those toy boxes himself. New toys can be dropped off at convenient locations across the Parkland area, including Pit Stop Gas Station in Leadington, Sam Scism Ford, Froggy Radio Station, Boyd Accounting, Plummers Ace Hardware, Unlimited Mail Solutions, NAPA Automotive, Buckley’s Towing, and Shelter Insurance in Fredericktown. New drop-off locations are coming soon, so stay tuned to their Facebook page for updates.
Many of these children have a dismal prognosis, and many are simply unsure of what their futures may hold. These families often feel helpless, with no control over their child’s fate. What we can offer is a brief reprieve; a sense of respite generating a moment of happiness, and joy. Any amount, any gesture, truly makes a difference. Together, we can ensure every child battling illness feels seen, supported, and loved—and help create more moments worth ringing the bell for.
Congratulations Jackson, we hope your journey continues to inspire others. For more information, including donation links and the most up-to-date list of drop-off sites, visit Jackson’s Journey with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Facebook at facebook.com/jacksondalestrong.
Because sometimes, the smallest gifts bring the greatest hope.
"A toy may seem small, but through Jackson’s Journey, each one becomes a symbol of hope, resilience, and the power of community to lift children up in their hardest moments."