Cody O’Connor, founder of Champions Do Overcome, embarked from NYC in June with a goal of covering 3,000 miles to LA to raise funds for pediatric cancer patients. One of his memorable stops in Pennsylvania during July included the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stoystown.
They say that raising a child “takes a village.” But what about when that child is diagnosed with cancer? The needs and added pressures multiply exponentially. For the 43 children diagnosed with cancer each day,[1] it takes a special kind of village. That’s the realization 14-year-old cancer patient Cody O’Connor had 10 years ago while receiving chemotherapy in his hospital bed.
A decade later, he’s beaten cancer and begun a 3,000-mile trek to gain visibility for his new non-profit, Champions Do Overcome. The non-profit raises money to support families with the goal of covering living expenses, food and gas, parent date nights, and other forms of support so that families can focus on maintaining a “love filled” cancer battle backed by the organization’s powerful village of support.
About O’Connor’s “Walk of Hope”
O’Connor is truly willing to go the distance in support of pediatric cancer patients and their families. His trek will take him from New York City to Los Angeles, and he hopes to spread an empowering message that young cancer patients can make it through, and a powerful, new support network is in place to help them
But O’Connor isn’t alone on his journey. He has gained the support of a number of sponsors and fans who are assisting him along the way. One such sponsorship comes from Vi-Jon, the maker of Germ-X hand sanitizer. The company has supplied O’Connor with a flashy new backpack, some stylish and comfortable t-shirts, and a supply of portable hand sanitizing products.
While a Go Fund Me exists to raise money for O’Connor’s nonprofit, this journey is about far more than raising funds for pediatric cancer patients. And it stems from that day so many years ago when O’Connor first was inspired to start Champions Do Overcome.
O’Connor’s Message for Pediatric Cancer Patients and Their Families
O’Connor recently spoke to the underlying mission of his journey in a Facebook video update:
“It’s important that this message and why we’re doing this stays with everybody, because each day 43 kids are … finding out that their lives are going to be changed forever — honestly not knowing what their lives will look like in the future. My family was one of those families that found that out firsthand and had to deal with that. I just want to say that this is why we’re doing this.”
But what were the circumstances surrounding O’Connor’s cancer diagnosis that left him so determined to help others? As it turns out, his cancer diagnosis couldn’t have come at a more difficult time. O’Connor was a talented young athlete when diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma at age 14, dashing his dreams of attending West Point. At the time, his parents were going through a divorce and his mother struggled to support O’Connor and his siblings on a medical assistant’s salary.
Help from extended family and a supportive local community made it possible for them to endure. But O’Connor couldn’t help but wonder about other families without a powerful support system. Since beating cancer, his mission has been to support other families through their battles against pediatric cancer.
In O’Connor’s own words, “We want to be able to help all of these families by the time that we’re done — fund their bills, [be that] support system. We want to build this community. So please share our posts, continue following our journey. I highly appreciate it and we’ll continue to make headway. And Cincinnati, we’ll see you guys in August!”
Germ-X Products and Their Role in O’Connor’s Mission
Along with his new backpack and t-shirts, O’Connor has also received a large supply of Germ-X hand sanitizer to help him maintain good hand hygiene throughout his journey. This includes items like portable Germ-X dispensers and sprays, along with single-use hand sanitizer wipes and hand sanitizer gel packets. While one may not immediately see the importance of Germ-X hand sanitizer in the battle against pediatric cancer, the link could not be stronger.
That’s because cancer and cancer treatments are incredibly hard on the body, and both can seriously weaken the immune systems of cancer victims.[2] In order to stay as healthy as possible, young cancer patients and their families must be hyper-vigilant in defending against germs.
One of the ways to do that is through following proper hand hygiene as outlined by the CDC. The products made by Vi-Jon — including Germ-X hand sanitizer products and a variety of other health and hygiene products — can help families to eliminate many disease-causing germs with which they may have come into contact. Germ-X hand sanitizing formulas are developed in the United States, made with USP-grade alcohol, and kill 99.99% of many common harmful germs and bacteria in as little as 15 seconds.
The makers of Germ-X hand sanitizer have also made a sizable donation in support of O’Connor’s non-profit, Champions Do Overcome, in appreciation of all that O’Connor is doing to help pediatric cancer patients and their families through these difficult times. To learn more about the wide variety of Germ-X products and their use can help you and your loved ones maintain a healthy lifestyle, please visit the germx.com.
Resources
- Childhood Cancer. Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer. https://www.alexslemonade.org/childhood-cancer/about-childhood-cancer/facts
- Why People with Cancer are More Likely to Get Infections. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/low-blood-counts/infections/why-people-with-cancer-are-at-risk.html.
