September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the courage of young warriors like Drew, a 9-year-old leukemia survivor from McKinney, Texas. Drew is the face of Salood’s latest campaign, a heartfelt initiative aimed at supporting families battling pediatric cancer throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Together with his two sisters, Drew embodies the spirit of this campaign, which features a special t-shirt and hat with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Salood’s financial aid fund.
Salood was founded by Josh Castillo and Kenny Freeland, who recognized the emotional and financial toll that cancer takes on families.
“The idea came about when we saw firsthand the challenges that families face,” Kenny shares. “Our focus became clear: provide financial aid to help families cover everyday expenses during such a challenging time and create a platform that empowers young cancer warriors through creative collaborations.”
The financial aid fund helps families cover essential expenses such as rent, utilities, and groceries. Drew’s mom, Billie-Jean Lowsley, says the support was transformative for their family.
“The check kept a roof over my family’s head in December,” Billie-Jean says. “It also helped us because they gave all four of our kids a kind of dream present. Christmas has been really hard the last four years.”
Drew was diagnosed just before Christmas in 2020, which made the holidays particularly difficult. “We both missed Christmas with Dad and his sisters because, with COVID, they could not visit the hospital,” Billie-Jean recalls. “Salood made Christmas really special last year, and they were a miracle at a really stressful time for us.”
The relationship between Josh, Kenny, and Drew’s family has blossomed into a deep connection. Billie-Jean expresses her appreciation for the bond they have formed, stating that their family feels a genuine love for Josh and Kenny and values the support they’ve received throughout their journey.
Drew’s infectious personality and his joy for life are central to the campaign.
“What really stood out was Drew’s infectious personality and his joy for life,” Kenny explains. “After meeting his family, we left their home smiling, uplifted by how kind and vibrant they were. It was clear to us that if we ever had the chance to work with them again, they’d be the perfect fit.”
The campaign is designed to raise awareness and funds for families like Drew’s, who are navigating the challenges of childhood cancer. Salood carefully selects families to support through a process that involves social workers at partner hospitals identifying those in the most need.
“Our goal is for them to focus on their child, not on making impossible financial decisions,” Kenny adds.
Billie-Jean emphasizes the importance of asking for help during tough times.
“Your family will go through so much, and my biggest advice is to reach out,” she says. “Letting people into your struggles and asking for help can feel daunting, but it’s crucial because you are not alone in this fight.”
As Salood looks to the future, it envisions expanding its reach and doubling the number of families it supports.
“We’ve already impacted over 400 families, and we’re exploring additional initiatives and campaigns that are exciting,” Kenny shares. “Our mission is to grow, be innovating, and offer support wherever it’s needed most.”
Billie-Jean’s family feels grateful to be part of this campaign, seeing it as a way to give back to others facing similar challenges.
“I feel so blessed and lucky that my family can be a part of this campaign because it allows us to be able to give back and also to work with such an amazing organization,” she said. “It’s just a wonderful opportunity to help.”
Childhood cancer can feel overwhelming, but campaigns like Salood’s not only provide essential financial relief but also empower children and families to become ambassadors of hope. With Drew at the forefront, this initiative reminds us all of the resilience and spirit that can emerge even in the face of adversity.
If you want to learn more about Salood, you can do so on their website. If you would like to purchase a hat or a t-shirt from Drew’s campaign, you can do so here.
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