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