FACING CHILDHOOD CANCER WITH COMPASSION, RESEARCH & HOPE
Hope & Heroes delivers world-class care, family-centered programs, and real healing to children with cancer and blood disorders. “We are always grateful to Hope & Heroes for their support,” says Maryana, Rhett’s mom. “They made sure we never felt alone.”
When Rhett was just two years old, he was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. What should have been a carefree time in toddlerhood instead became a blur of hospital rooms, chemotherapy, and fear. His parents were overwhelmed—not only by the diagnosis, but by the long, uncertain road ahead. That road changed the day they were introduced to Hope & Heroes. In addition to the care Rhett received from his doctors and nurses, Hope & Heroes became an integral part of his treatment journey. They funded programs that offered Rhett emotional and physical support, like integrative medicine, child life specialists, and the Arts in Medicine Studio—an innovative art program that brings creativity into
the hospital setting. For Rhett and his family, Hope & Heroes became a lifeline. Today, Rhett is 15 —and thriving. He plays football and lacrosse, takes quarterback lessons, and embraces every moment of the healthy, active life his parents once feared he might never have. “We are always grateful to Hope & Heroes for their support,” says Maryana, Rhett’s mom. “They made sure we never felt alone.” Hope & Heroes is the tri-state region’s leading pediatric charity, funding the life-saving work on childhood cancer and blood disorders. Their impact spans seven premier pediatric cancer centers across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut supporting over 600 doctors and healthcare providers and helping more than 1,000 newly diagnosed children each year. Unlike large national organizations, their local focus ensures direct support to the communities they serve. They don’t just fund research—they empower patients, families, and medical professionals, combining cutting-edge science with deeply compassionate care. Their work bridges equity gaps by ensuring children from all backgrounds have access to the best treatment and supportive services available.
Rhett in treatment
Founded in 1996 by Dr. Michael Weiner, Hope & Heroes began with the vision that every child deserves world-class care, no matter their background or insurance status.
Rhett is positioned on the far right, alongside his parents, Maryana and Aaron, and his younger brother, Landon.
The name itself came from a teenage patient’s letter to her baseball hero, sparking a movement that continues to change lives nearly 30 years later. Hope & Heroes addresses the full spectrum of care—from funding immunotherapy research to supporting patient nutrition, transportation, education, housing, and mental health. They walk alongside families through the most difficult moments, offering not only resources but also hope. Whether underwriting groundbreaking research, funding psychosocial programs, or easing the daily burden on families, Hope & Heroes treats each child as more than a patient—they see them as a whole person, with a future worth fighting for.
Together, we can ensure no family faces childhood cancer alone. --Attend the Hope & Heroes Annual Gala on Thursday, November 6th, at The Glasshouse in NYC. --Join quarterly art making events at The MET. --Host a fundraiser, wear gold this month in support of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, or share their story. Every dollar makes a difference. Scan the QR code to make a gift. Call 332.330.1025, email contact@hopeandheroes.org, or visit www.hopeandheroes.org.
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