How One TV Star's Fan Changed Her Life and How Every Single Person Can Help Others and Make A Difference
Melissa Rauch, is an actor (best known as Bernadette Rostenkowski on THE BIG BANG THEORY), writer, producer, mother and Co-Founded OSCAR'S KIDS, a pediatric cancer charity with chapters both in the US and Ireland, after a fan reached out.
My Cancer Family:
Why did you get involved in Oscar's Kids?
Melissa Rauch:
My husband, Winston and I founded Oscar's Kids in partnership with Yavanna and Lar Keogh, the parents of Oscar Keogh who the charity is named for. At 3 1/2, Oscar was diagnosed with an aggressive and terminal form of pediatric cancer called DIPG. In an effort to bring as much joy to their amazing son's life as possible they were contacting people from shows he watched. He enjoyed the Big Bang Theory which I was on at the time, so Yav reached out to me and our friendship grew from there. They are a truly incredible family and I feel so lucky to have them in my life. Oscar tragically passed away at just five years old as there is no known cure for DIPG and treatment options are only palliative. I wanted to do something in honor of Oscar and to help this community of kids and parents who are literally told by doctors to "go make some memories" because there's nothing else they can currently do. Yav and Lar had already been doing a ton of extraordinary fundraising in Ireland and had plans to continue Oscar's legacy so we joined forces with them to form Oscar's Kids.
My Cancer Family:
I LOVE the story of Oscar being your fan and the friendship you formed with him and his family. Are there words of wisdom or anything you remember saying to cheer him up that could help other families going through a cancer journey?
Melissa Rauch:
Any wisdom I could impart would all be me sharing words of Oscar's amazing parents as they are two of the most inspiring people I've ever known.
Yav is a phenomenal writer and had written a blog post about Oscar and his diagnosis which is what I had read the night she first reached out. I was immediately in complete awe of her ability to write so powerfully and exquisitely about what they were going through. She continued to do so during their cancer journey and after Oscar's passing. Her ability to articulate grief in such a poignant, yet relatable way is extraordinary. You can check out Yav's writings on our website...her words are such a gift, much like herself and Lar. They are the kind of people that just bring light to everyone in their orbit. Yav recently posted this beautiful quote, "From the moment Oscar was diagnosed the three of us fought so hard for him against cancer and during his journey slowly discovered that beating cancer isn't only about curing it, it's about living fearlessly and with joy in spite of it."
My Cancer Family:
How does Oscar's Kids help others?
Melissa Rauch:
Oscar's Kids is now a trans-Atlantic pediatric cancer charity (with a chapter here and one run in Ireland by Oscar's parents). Oscar's Kids Ireland is doing amazing work supporting and bringing joy to children and families dealing with pediatric cancer. Oscar's Kids Ireland even started an Oscar's Kids Club, which is a one of a kind club dedicated to delivering magic moments to the children while fostering a deeper sense of community for those dealing with pediatric cancer. It is really something special. And in the US we're focused on raising funds for using scientific research to find a cure and treatments for DIPG and other devastating diagnoses.
My Cancer Family:
If there's one line or 1 quote that stands out in your mind that you could share with others about being a supporter of someone on a cancer journey, what would it be?
Melissa Rauch:
It's perhaps meditating on the Nat King Cole quote: “The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” Love is clearly the ultimate force in this universe and the more we can offer all the love and compassion and resources we have to offer to those dealing with life's darkest challenges- the brighter all of our lives will become.
“Terminal pediatric cancer is something so heart-wrenching that our society tends to look away from it when we should be running towards its savage flame at full force to do everything we can to help these children. Oscar Keogh possessed a bravery and love of life that was awe-inspiring. I feel that we owe it to every kid like him to provide hope and options rather than a terminal diagnosis and limited treatment options. Our children deserve better and we must do better for them.”
Melissa's friends at Omaze are giving you the chance to win a new car! Anyone can enter! Best of all, you can help fund vital pediatric cancer research and enter HERE for your chance to win!
