Welcome to Becca's LEGacy
Childhood Cancer Organization
Becca's LEGacy began with the dream of one little girl, to help other children like her, with cancer. We invite you to be a part of Becca's LEGacy.
Childhood: Fun. Dreams. Playful. Smiles. Free. Happy. Laughter. Creativity. Joy. Carefree.
Cancer: Fear. Uncertainty. Illness. Pain. Hospitalizations. Procedures. Chemo. Sadness. Surgeries. Limitations.
Becca: Hopeful. Resilient. Loving. Courageous. Strong. Giving. Vivacious. Inspirational.
Childhood and cancer shouldn't go together. Let's work together to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer. That was Becca's final dream.
Cancer: Fear. Uncertainty. Illness. Pain. Hospitalizations. Procedures. Chemo. Sadness. Surgeries. Limitations.
Becca: Hopeful. Resilient. Loving. Courageous. Strong. Giving. Vivacious. Inspirational.
Childhood and cancer shouldn't go together. Let's work together to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer. That was Becca's final dream.
The Becca's LEGacy Toy Drive
is officially over.
My heart is full. Last week and this week, We finished the Becca’s LEGacy Toy Drive deliveries for this year with stops at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, The Chicago Proton Center, and Central DuPage Hospital. This marks the end of an era, the finish of our 17 year run. It has been a privilege and honor to celebrate Becca and her dreams in this special way. We thank you, our supporters, as we couldn’t have done it without you. You have helped us celebrate Becca and have kept her dreams alive. We have given tens of thousands of toys to children with cancer and others in the hospital. That’s a lot of smiles! While many of my words echo what I have said before, please know that this is all heartfelt. This toy drive has touched me to the depths of my soul. I have seen the best in people, as we received so many beautiful contributions, and have had the privilege of spreading joy to children experiencing some of their most vulnerable moments. The toy drive may be over, but our honoring Becca will never end.
We thank you again, and ask you to please continue to spread love and do acts of kindness while keeping Becca in your hearts.
Thank You!
Dear Becca,
When you came home from the hospital for the very last time, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer, we shared many special and powerful moments, some of which shaped my life going forward in ways I would never have dreamed of. You had such wisdom and depth, especially for such a young child. I remember some very difficult and potent conversations we had, including when you came to understand that you were nearing your final day on this earth. One afternoon, I casually asked you what I could do for you. In my mind, I was offering to play a game, bring you a sip of water, get you one of your plush animals or dolls to cuddle with, or help you with some other basic need. I didn’t anticipate that you had something much bigger in mind and would respond in a life-changing manner.
That day, Becca, you gave me a final, beautiful gift. You gave me a way to share you, to honor you, to celebrate you, and to continue to be with you in a very different way. You replied, “Take care of my [plush] Annie and do my foundation.” Whoosh! My life would never be the same again.
I sit here writing this with Annie by my side. You didn’t just change me, you changed the lives of so many people. On many occasions, you had shared your dreams of helping other children with cancer. You had plans of what you wanted to do, and bringing other kids happiness through toys was a top priority for you. Even when you were at your sickest, you thought of helping others. You started our first toy drive with the letter you wrote to ask others to give. You shared that you wanted to help other children feel better, knowing that the toys you received at the hospital helped you feel better. How could anyone say “no” to that? We filled our trunk with the donated toys you received and brought them to the hospital. You were beaming. Even when in the hospital, you thought of others. You would always ask for an extra toy for your brother. You loved him so much and didn’t want him left out. You would forfeit your “prize” from hospital bingo and instead choose a toy to give away to another child going through treatment. How could I not be inspired by your giving heart?
So when you asked me to “do your foundation” and keep giving toys to children, I promised you I would. My beautiful Becca, we have done that for 17 years. Each year, we have collected toys, lovingly put labels on each one that say, “With love from Becca’s LEGacy,” organized and packed them for local hospitals and cancer centers, and delivered them. Because of your dream - your request – tens of thousands of children have received toys from Becca’s LEGacy. You have made so many children happy! And I have had the gift of spreading that joy and sharing your story. I thank you for that. Your gift of the toy drive has helped me in my healing and has reminded me that you are always with me.
Not only did you touch the lives of the children who received the Becca’s LEGacy toys, you also touched the lives of those donating toys to us. When people heard your story, they wanted to be a part of it. Year after year, individuals and organizations collected toys in your honor and memory. Nurses and child life specialists who cared for you have sent many toys in your memory and have collected toys for you. Parents have had their children choose gifts to put in our collection boxes, and made our toy drive and your story a teachable moment. We gained so many loyal contributors who themselves found meaning in being a part of your story. I saw so much beauty in the world through you. You brought your beauty to this world during all of your years here and in all the years since. I think it’s fair to say that you have changed the world for the better. I know you have changed me and my world for the better.
I will always honor you, Becca, and hold you close, in my heart. I will do what I can to bring joy to others and make the world a kinder place, for myself and for you. While we have decided to end the toy drive, we will never stop honoring you. Thank you for your beauty and wisdom, for your love and your caring, for your dreams and your vision. Who knew that one small request from a little girl could make such a big difference in so many lives? I love you, Becca, and will always hold you close.
Love, Mom
A parent of a child who received a gift from Becca's LEGacy, said:
"Thank you for what you do! My son was the lucky recipient of a couple of gifts today at the Proton Center. He is there for treatment every weekday right now, and today happens to be his 14th birthday! Our drive was awful this morning, and going for radiation is not what he would choose to do on his birthday, but this made the day a bit more special. We truly appreciate it!"
Your donations made a difference!
Our first toy drive flyer, by Becca, from 2006.
