Welcome to the Will Strong Team
Join us in raising funds for pediatric cancer research in memory of Will Irwin
About The Will Irwin Fund
Why we support Pediatric Cancer Research
To say that cancer has changed our lives would be an understatement. We never imagined that cancer would affect our lives -no less pediatric cancer. However, pediatric cancer took our son away from earth, robbing us the opportunity to raise our little boy into a toddler, child, teenager, and man.
Of course, Mike and I knew of pediatric cancer; but for us it was a rare, far away evil that had never touched our lives or even the lives of anyone we knew. That all changed when doctors gave us the devastating diagnosis that our first child, William, had stage 4 cancer when he was only 3 months old. Will fought hard for 5 months, and despite the efforts of his amazing team of doctors and nurses, our baby boy joined our Heavenly Father on May 31st 2019. Will's cancer, which is still undiagnosed, was too aggressive for his tiny body and his young age limited his treatment options.
The truth is that cancer is one of the leading causes of death for children and adolescents worldwide. Over 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in the US every year, and more than 300,000 children are diagnosed globally. Although many people don't think about pediatric cancer every day like we do, every three minutes a family somewhere in the world receives the devastating news that their child has cancer.
Cancer does not discriminate. The next child diagnosed with cancer could be your neighbor, your child's classmate, your niece or nephew, your grandchild, or even your very own little one. If you don't know anyone with pediatric cancer right now, statistics show that pediatric cancer will eventually touch your life.
This is why we support Pediatric Cancer Research and why YOU should too... Join us in creating a cancer free future for our children.
"Where there's a Will, there's a way."
- Jo Irwin
What We've Achieved So Far:
Funds raised support leading-edge research at top institutions. In consultation with Mike and Joanna, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has directed proceeds from all Will Strong events to the following:
· Dr. Ashley Plant: Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital - DIPG Phase 1 Clinical Trial
· Dr. Michelle Monje: Lucille Packard Children's Hospital - New Clinical Trials for high-grade gliomas
· Dr. Rajkumar Venkatramani: Texas Children's Hospital - Rare Tumor Program
Will's Story
William was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer when he was only 3 months old. Will fought hard for 5 months, and despite the efforts of his amazing team of doctors, Will passed away in our arms on May 31st, 2019. Will's cancer was just too aggressive for his little body and because of his young age and the lack of research dedicated to pediatric cancer, we didn't have a lot of treatment options. Since his passing, our goal and Will's legacy is that every child facing the challenges of pediatric cancer will be able to hear the words, "We have a cure."
Fundraising Events
The Irwin Family along with The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation will be hosting the 6th Annual Will Strong Charity Golf Event on September 30th, 2024 at The Huntington Club in Huntington Beach, CA. We have raised over $2.5M for leading research. Proceeds from our last 5 Will Strong Charity Golf Events have helped top researchers throughout the country develop new treatments for children that are saving lives!
Our Inspiration
Will's Warriors
Will's Warriors
Will's Warriors
Will's example is one of joyful smiles and immeasurable strength. Will demonstrated the spirit of a true warrior - someone who fights for the good. Will's Warriors are children who somehow manage a determined spirit in spite of the challenges before them.
Will's Angels
Will's Warriors
Will's Warriors
Will’s Angels are children taken from us too soon to join our heavenly father. As Will’s doctor Dr. Ashley Plant-Fox once said to Joanna in the hospital “Some children are just too good for this place."