Our Mission
Childhood Cancer Community exists to provide meaningful connections for families affected by childhood cancer to promote positivity and purpose throughout their journeys.
Our Vision
That each family who is now, or has ever been, affected by childhood cancer have a place to belong and heal from and in their experience. We also believe that togetherness, promotion of childhood cancer awareness, and donations to research will end childhood cancer.
Our Priorities
Compassion
Compassion is often synonymous with “warmth.” When it comes to our service of families with childhood cancer the warmth of belonging is included in each and every interaction.
Connection
It is our belief that one of childhood cancer’s most wearying side effect is loneliness. Even while surrounded by those they love, patients, siblings, and parents may find that they do not feel understood. One of our central purposes is to connect families, mentors, and volunteers to impactful, life-changing experiences.
CURE
If loneliness is the effect on the heart, we cannot turn an eye to the difficult realities of childhood cancer’s physical effects. Therefore, we promote awareness, and donate a portion of our funds raised to childhood cancer research.
About The Founder
In 1998, at the age of 7, Shanna (Decker) Lunasin was diagnosed with a rare, high grade bone cancer. After the completion of 49 weeks of chemotherapy and a unique amputation called rotationplasty, she returned to the hospital time and time again to mentor other children facing what she once had.
Having mentored thousands of children and teens facing childhood cancer since that time, volunteering thousands of hours per year for other non-profit organizations, and speaking around the nation to audiences as large as 25,000 of her experiences, she knew that building a non-profit with a clear mission of togetherness would echo the truths she has learned throughout her own journey and bring healing to many.
Currently serving as president and spearheading all volunteer training and program development, she also holds her MBA from the University of Minnesota. In her free time you’ll find her outdoors on an adventure laughing with her husband and daughter.
