On April 1, 2011, it was official: 2 ½-year-old Malia Dakota Jusczyk's carefree life of Disney World and pony rides, soccer practice and swimming pools, came to a grinding halt. A CT scan revealed that Malia's recent "tummy aches" were caused by a large tumor lodged in her abdomen. The solid mass wrapped around major blood vessels and pushed against her kidney and aorta.

A biopsy confirmed that Malia has a very aggressive childhood cancer known as stage IV (high risk) neuroblastoma. The cancer had metastasized into her bones and bone marrow (cranium, humerus, and femur). Immediately after the debilitating diagnosis, Malia's parents, Megan and Glen, left Orlando, Florida in order to provide their daughter with the best treatment currently available to her at the Children's Hospital/Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund Clinic in Boston, Massachusetts.

To survive, Malia's little body had to endure six rounds of chemo, nine hours of tumor resection surgery, a stem cell transplant, removal of a kidney and an adrenal gland, twelve rounds of proton radiation, countless blood transfusions, and immunotherapy.

We are thrilled to share that as of July 2012, Malia has been declared NED (No Evidence of Disease). Yay!! However, since the rate of relapse with neuroblastoma is so high (and since there is no cure once a child relapses), we have entered her in a two-year-long remission trial, which utilizes a medication called DFMO 2/day and includes scans every three months as well as monthly oncology appointments.

Malia, like all children diagnosed with this awful disease, has shown an unbelievable strength and willpower throughout her treatment. We are thankful for every single day we get with our beautiful daughter!

Unfortunately, many parents can't say the same. The fact remains that every sixteen hours a child dies from neuroblastoma, and although cancer is the number one disease killer of our children, only 3.8% of cancer research funding goes toward pediatric cancer. That is why we have chosen to expand the non-profit, For Kids’ Sake (created by Malia's dad, Glen Jusczyk), to raise money for neuroblastoma research as well as for families of children diagnosed with neuroblastoma.

According to the Neuroblastoma Children's Cancer Society: "For families affected by neuroblastoma, the medical costs alone typically exceed $500,000 with many costs not covered by health insurance, this experience can devastate a family financially."

Please consider donating to this very worthy cause and helping more children crush cancer!

Past Events

Thanks to all those who have made these past fundraising events such a success. If we are missing anything, please e-mail us and let us know.


Mar. 1-2, 2013Toxavidis and Houghton Double Ironman, Tampa, FL
Feb. 27, 2013Lilly Walk & Talk for Malia, Boston, MA
Jan. 1-31, 2013January Weight Loss Challenge
Jan. 24, 2013Georgia Turns 3 Fundraiser for Kids' Sake
Jan. 12, 2013Crushing 100 Miles for Malia
Jan. 12, 2013Jen and PJ Louis Run the Disney Marathon
Dec. 25, 2012Holiday Fundraiser for Kids' Sake
Dec. 2, 2012Brittany Angelich Runs Las Vegas Half-Marathon
Oct. 20, 2012Great Floridian Showdown, Clermont, FL
Oct. 20, 2012Mudders for Malia, Raceway Park, NJ
Oct. 13, 2012Virginia Tech 19 Ways for Malia, Blacksburg, VA
Sep. 30, 20122nd Annual Kicks for Malia, Wrentham, MA
Sep. 2012AIC Women's Soccer Sells Bracelets for Malia, Springfield, MA
Apr. - Sep. 2012Silpada Raffle for Malia
Apr. - Sep. 2012Happitude for Malia
Dec. 2011 - Sep. 2012Strawberry Patch Jewelry for Malia
Sep. 9, 2012Justin O'Connell Runs Chicago Half Marathon for Malia, Chicago, IL
Aug. 26, 2012Songs of Love: An Evening of Music and More, Millbury, MA
Aug. 12, 2012First Annal Tri to Crush Cancer, North Attleboro, MA
Jun. 28, 20123v3 Soccer Tournament to Crush Cancer, Holden, MA
Jun. 26, 2012Birthday Cards for Malia
May 2012Jim's Creations Art for Malia
May 5-26, 2012Lia Sophia Jewelry for Malia
April 2012Malia Headbands from The Pretty Committee
Apr. 29, 2012Norwich Men's Soccer: Lap-Running Competition for Malia, Northfield, VT
Apr. 22, 2012Malia Gift Swap and Raffle, Sutton, MA
Apr. 21, 2012Meat Raffle Fundraiser, Time Out Bar & Grill, Cumberland, RI
Apr. 16, 2012Bandits for Malia Crash the Boston Marathon
Apr. 16, 2012Brent Dillard Runs the Boston Marathon for Malia
Mar. - Apr., 2012Easter Cards for Malia
Mar. 23, 2012AIC Futsal Benefit Tournament, Springfield, MA
Mar. 10, 2012New England Alumni Bean Pot Tournament, Brookline, MA
Feb. 19, 2012Bull Bash (Buck Out) for Malia, Anniston, AL
Jan. 1 - Feb. 14, 2012Valentines for Malia
Dec. 30 - 31, 2011New Year's Indoor Soccer Bash, Flowood, MS
Dec. 9 - 16, 2011Patriots Tickets Auction
Dec. 4, 2011FPS Go Tough for Charity, Tampa, FL
Dec. 1 - 3, 2011Aine's Boutique for Malia, Reading, MA
Nov. 12, 2011Zumba Fundraiser, Winter Garden, FL
Nov. 12, 2011Balloon Release #2, Worcester, MA
Nov. 6, 2011Kicks for Malia Soccer Tournament, Wrentham, MA
Nov. 5, 2011Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, Savannah, GA
Nov. - Dec. 2011Rides for Malia, Alexandria, AL
Nov. - Dec. 2011Christmas Cards for Malia
Oct. 29, 2011Zumba Fundraiser, Clermont, FL
Oct. 29, 2011Northeastern Soccer Fundraiser, Brookline, MA
Oct. 22, 2011Virginia Tech: 19 Ways, Blacksburg, VA
Oct. 15, 2011Dinner at Dom's Fundraiser, Windsor, CT
Oct. 11 - Nov. 15, 2011Stella & Dot for Malia
Oct. 9, 2011Benefit Raffle & Balloon Release, Sutton, MA
Oct. 1 - 2, 2011Bake Sale & Raffle - Waters Farm Fall Festival, Sutton, MA
Oct. 2011Beach Body and Malia Crush Cancer
Sep. 25, 2011Team Malia Golf Tournament - Holden Hills, Holden, MA
Sep. 2011The Pretty Committee for Malia
Sep. - Oct. 2011Scentsy for Malia
Sep. - Oct. 2011Mary Kay for Malia
Fall Season, 2011New England Over-the-Hill Soccer League: Hacks & Hooligans for Malia
Fall Season, 2011John Robinson Soccer School: Score for Malia
Fall Season, 2011Twenty-Four Seven Goalkeeper: Saves for Malia
Aug. 2011Longaberger Crafts for Malia
Aug. 2011Mary Kay for Malia
Aug. 2011August Calendar Raffle
Jul. 30, 2011Team Malia Golf Tournament - Butternut Farm Golf Course, Stow, MA
Jul. 16, 2011Ella and Malia Yard Sale, Clermont, FL
Jul. 9, 2011Team Malia Golf Tournament - Shining Rock Golf Club, Northbridge, MA
Jun. 30, 2011New England Over-the-Hill Soccer League Charity Golf Event, Acton, MA
Jun. 28 - 30, 2011Team Malia Soccer Clinic, North Attleborough, MA
Jun. 11, 2011Bake Sale & Raffle - Sutton, MA
May 22 - Aug. 1, 2011Toons for Malia
May 14, 2011Kickin' Cancer Old School Style Auction Fundraiser - Plainridge Race Course, Plainville, MA
May 12 - Dec. 2, 2011The Fattest Loser
May 2011Silpada Designs for Malia
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