April 2018 | 59
How long have you been involved with
Rally Pensacola?
I have been involved raising awareness
for Childhood Cancer since May of 2013.
I successfully established Rally Pensacola
as an extension city for Rally Foundation
for Childhood Cancer Research in the Fall
2015.
How is Rally Pensacola funded?
Rally Pensacola is funded through
generous donations from individuals,
businesses, and fundraising events in
our local community. Rally Pensacola is
fortunate to have community partners
who help provide our families with
services such as food delivery in the
hospital and social opportunities in the
community.
What impact has Rally Pensacola had
on families in the community in the last
year?
Rally Pensacola has been able to bring
together a community of childhood
cancer families to support and lean on one
another during a time in their lives that no
one is ever prepared to encounter -- the
illness of a child. The childhood cancer
families have to fi nd balance in a “new
normal”. Rally Pensacola helps support
the families’ needs—fi nancially and
emotionally.
What is the most rewarding part
of your involvement with the
organization?
The most rewarding part of my
involvement is witnessing a child “ring
the bell” at the hospital. This celebrates
their end of treatment. Depending on
the diagnosis, sometimes this means the
cancer is stable, while more often times
it signifi es remission with no evidence of
disease.
I also enjoy traveling to Washington,
D.C., to advocate on behalf of and along
side the cancer fi ghters and their families.
To have the ability to feel so passionate
about a cause that I can participate in
helping to make a difference on national
policy issues is quite rewarding. I realize
how fortunate I am to not have a child
diagnosed with cancer. Cancer does not
discriminate; therefore, I recognize the
need for change and the impact I have
made for others, simply by being a voice
for those who are bravely fi ghting.
Is Rally Pensacola involved in any
upcoming events?
We’ll be holding our inaugural Rally
On the Runway on Thursday, April 26 at
Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource
Center at 6:30 pm. This is a chic date-
night fashion show featuring Rally Kids
as models, great food and cocktails, as well
as a silent and live auction.
How can someone become involved or
join the Rally Pensacola?
Cancer is the number one disease killer
of children in the United States and every
day 46 families receive the devastating
news that their child had been diagnosed
with cancer. Every dollar given and every
effort to raise awareness helps us get closer
to fi nding a cure. There are many ways
to get involved with Rally from serving
meals at the children’s hospital to helping
out at an event to running for Rally in a
5k to creating your own awareness and
fundraising event. Please email me to get
involved—Cindi@RallyFoundation.org.
Interview with Cindi Bonner
Director – Rally Pensacola
Rally Pensacola is community based,
community supported, and volunteer driven.
They serve children right here who are fighting cancer.
RallyKid Charley
RallyKid Logan
RallyKid Mikey
RallyKids Carolyn, Khai & Katie
58-59 GiveCareShare - Ralley Kids.indd 2
3/25/18 1:44 PM