Madi's Mission transforms AHS seniors as well as kids with cancer

ASHEBORO — A special kind of passion can be born from tragedy.

And that passion, perhaps more than any other, has a deeper meaning to all those who become involved and for all those who are impacted.

Chloe Chanmaly, Penny Smith and Helen Britt were sophomores at Asheboro High School when Chanmaly’s little cousin, Madison Thomas, was diagnosed with cancer. Chanmaly said she saw first-hand the devastation not only to her cousin, but how the situation affected the entire family as Madison went through a host of treatments.

While most would certainly say they would do anything to help as the family went through this tragedy, Chanmaly, Smith and Britt took a giant step toward helping Madi, her family and other children and families going through a similar experience.

With the help of mentors Lauren Jennings and Wanda Thomas, Chanmaly’s aunt and Madison’s mother, Madi’s Mission CCA (Childhood Cancer Alliance), a non-profit organization, was founded. 

Through the hard work and dedication of all involved, the organization has spread rapidly over the past three years, leading to chapters at Asheboro High School and Southwestern Randolph High School. There are approximately 80 members in the organization and the founders are certainly hoping to spread the word and increase the awareness and ability to help as many children and their families fighting cancer.

“I saw first-hand how difficult it is not only for the kids themselves, but the whole family,” Chanmaly said nearly three years after starting the organization.

While many female sophomores in high school are worrying about boys, cars and proms, this trio of special individuals started a foundation that would help cancer-stricken children and their families. And it continues to grow.

While Madison has defeated cancer thanks to the hard-working doctors, nurses and personnel at Brenner’s Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem, the mission remains the same for Madi’s Mission CCA. 

The mission statement, located on their website, states “We are committed to empowering children fighting cancer by providing them with the support, resources and love they need to conquer their journey with strength and resilience.”

By holding fund-raisers of all kinds — raffles, bake sales, auctions, yard sales, pickle ball tournaments and other events — the group raises money and purchases care packages for the children who are going through what no child should have to go through. These care packages include:

■ One toy (collected through toy drives).

■ One balloon toy.

■ One blanket.

■ A pair of gloves (Fall & Winter). 

■ Fuzzy socks (Fall & Winter). 

■ One beanie (Fall & Winter).

■ One bubble wand (Spring & Summer).

■ One Lego pack (Spring & Summer).

■ One pack of chalk (Spring & Summer).

■ One activity book.

■ Two blank notebooks.

■ One pack of colored pencils. 

■ One pack of crayons.

■ One toiletry bag: Toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, chapstick, hand sanitizer, one pack of wet wipes, and one 10-pack of Q-tips.

■ Handwritten notes.

Chanmaly and Smith are members of the AHS varsity girls soccer team and coach Emily Roman helped the organization by having each member of her team write a note to a child and their family, offering encouraging words and support. The soccer program has been key in spreading the news about Madi’s Mission CCA.

Once the Care packages are assembled by volunteers at both high schools, Chanmaly delivers them to Brenner’s Children Hospital.

She said she is currently in the process of expanding the number of hospitals the foundation helps.

While the organization has certainly grown from its infancy, the foundation is beginning to attract attention country-wide. Chanmaly traveled to Florida where she was given a $2,000 grant from the Grant Cordone Foundation, an international non-profit organization invested in helping youth in our communities reach their full potential. “I met some amazing young women,” Chanmaly said.

Smith, who like Chanmaly and Britt are members of DECA at AHS, said becoming involved in Madi’s Mission CCA has quickly become an important part of her life.

“Chloe and I have been best friends since middle school and I’ve always been close with her family,” Smith said. “I remember our sophomore year, she mentioned to me about starting a non-profit and me getting involved at the beginning was a little bit of loyalty to Chloe. After we became an official non-profit, my eyes opened to what we can do in the Randolph County community and in North Carolina.”

Britt says she has taken the lessons she learned and is applying that to Madi’s Mission CCA.

“I was really inspired by my family and the hard workers they are,” Britt said. “My dad has always been an inspiration to me. He’s always been in business, and even though he didn’t have a formal education in business, he figured it out and that told me it’s possible.

“It’s been amazing, stressful at times,” Britt said about Madi’s Mission CCA. 

“It’s been transformative, It’s given me a sense of confidence I would not have otherwise. It’s given me more friendships and relationships. It has been empowering to know you can make an impact.”

While the three soon-to-be AHS graduates are heading to different colleges, Madi’s Mission CCA will always bind them well beyond a typical friendship.

Tragedy, unfortunately, creeps into just about everyone’s life at some point. These high school girls show the desire, dedication and maturity to turn a  tragedy into something that shines bright today.