November 16th, 2011

From Darkness to Dream Come True: Charities Bring the Gift of Play into Focus for Local Boy Battling Cancer

The We Promise and Roc Solid Foundations surprised Virginia Beach boy battling the most advanced stage of bilateral Retinoblastoma with his own backyard playground

During a season characterized by gestures of generosity, the We Promise and Roc Solid Foundations delivered a very special surprise to a little boy facing big odds: a backyard playground designed to bring the gift of play to children with pediatric cancer.

For Maddox and his family, this dream come true could not have come at a more perfect time. Following months of aggressive treatment to combat several tumors – six in his left eye and two larger ones in his right that limit his vision – the local foundations back brought the magic of childhood
during a pivotal moment in Maddox’s journey. We Promise donated the funds for the play set, a total of $10,000 to Roc Solid in 2011, while Roc Solid and their crew of volunteers built the playground.

“Children like Maddox are unable to enjoy public playgrounds because of suppressed immune systems,” said John Blum, Chairman of the We Promise Foundation. “That is why, after months of indoor treatment and rounds of painful pricks, we were honored to give Maddox a place to play and the chance to see life a little differently – through the healing lens of hope.”

Since 1999, the We Promise Foundation has donated more than $3 million to make dreams come true for children facing life-threatening illnesses.