By admin 
In a significant show of community support and philanthropic dedication, the second annual Walk by Faith Gala recently concluded in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, marking a major milestone for pediatric cancer advocacy. Hosted by the Maddy Nelson Memorial Foundation, the event drew nearly 450 guests to the state’s capital, where attendees gathered to honor the memory of two sisters and contribute to the ongoing fight against childhood illness. The evening’s efforts culminated in a fundraising total exceeding $109,000, funds that are earmarked for essential support services, including Camp Norden, a specialized summer program operated by the Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF).
The gala represents the evolution of a family’s grief into a robust engine for social good. Founded in the wake of personal tragedy, the Maddy Nelson Memorial Foundation has become a cornerstone of local charitable efforts, focusing on the intersection of medical support and emotional resilience for families navigating the complexities of a cancer diagnosis. This year’s event was particularly poignant, as it served not only as a tribute to Maddy Nelson but also to her sister, Faith, whose sudden passing in 2023 added a new layer of mission to the organization’s work.
The Foundation of a Legacy: The Story of Maddy Nelson
The impetus for the foundation began over a decade ago with Maddy Nelson, a high school student whose life was irrevocably changed by a diagnosis of a rare form of childhood cancer. According to medical data provided by the National Cancer Institute, rare pediatric cancers present unique challenges, often lacking the standardized treatment protocols available for more common conditions like acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Maddy’s journey was characterized by an intensive regimen of treatments that initially led to remission. However, the resilience of the disease proved insurmountable; the cancer returned, and Maddy passed away in May 2016 at the age of 18, just days before her high school graduation.
In the years following her death, the Nelson family sought ways to ensure that Maddy’s name remained synonymous with the kindness and strength she exhibited during her treatment. The creation of the Maddy Nelson Memorial Foundation was a direct response to the gaps in support they identified during their own medical journey. While clinical research is vital, the family recognized an equal need for programs that address the "wholeness" of a child—their need for play, community, and normalcy in the face of life-threatening illness.
Expanding the Mission: Remembering Faith Nelson
The 2025 launch of the Walk by Faith Gala introduced a dual purpose to the foundation’s fundraising efforts. In 2023, the Nelson family suffered a second devastating loss when Maddy’s sister, Faith, died following a snowmobile accident. Faith was described by those who knew her as a vibrant individual who lived with an infectious enthusiasm for life. A gifted potter and a standout athlete in both volleyball and softball, she was also an avid outdoorswoman who found peace in hiking, camping, and hunting.
The gala’s title, "Walk by Faith," serves as a linguistic tribute to Faith’s name while also reflecting the spiritual and emotional journey of the families the foundation serves. By incorporating Faith’s legacy into the foundation’s work, the organizers have expanded their reach to support organizations like LifeSource, reflecting Faith’s own contributions as an organ donor. This expansion illustrates a broader trend in family-led foundations where the mission evolves to encompass the multifaceted nature of the family’s experiences with both chronic illness and sudden loss.
Strategic Allocation of Funds: Camp Norden and Beyond
The $109,000 raised during the St. Paul event is distributed among three primary beneficiaries, each playing a distinct role in the support ecosystem for Minnesota families.
Camp Norden and the Children’s Cancer Research Fund
A significant portion of the gala’s proceeds is dedicated to Camp Norden. Managed by the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Camp Norden provides a traditional summer camp experience specifically tailored for children who have been touched by cancer. For many of these children, standard summer camps are inaccessible due to medical requirements or physical limitations resulting from treatment. Camp Norden eliminates these barriers by providing medical supervision and a peer group that understands the nuances of the cancer experience. Crucially, the funding provided by the Walk by Faith Gala ensures that these experiences remain free of charge for the families involved, removing the financial burden that often accompanies a pediatric diagnosis.
HopeKids
The foundation also supports HopeKids, an organization that provides a recurring calendar of events and a powerful support physician-approved community for families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition. The logic behind supporting HopeKids is rooted in the "hope and healing" model, which suggests that having a structured social life and a community of peers can significantly improve the mental health outcomes for both the sick child and their siblings.
LifeSource
Reflecting the legacy of Faith Nelson, the gala also contributes to LifeSource, the organ procurement organization serving the upper Midwest. LifeSource manages the complex process of organ, eye, and tissue donation, a mission that aligns with the foundation’s commitment to saving lives and supporting families through the most difficult moments of loss.
Analysis of Community Impact and Philanthropic Trends
The success of the Walk by Faith Gala highlights a critical trend in contemporary philanthropy: the rise of the "community-funded" model. While large-scale national organizations receive the bulk of research grants, grassroots foundations like the Maddy Nelson Memorial Foundation are increasingly responsible for funding the "quality of life" programs that national budgets often overlook.
Sarah Kier, Associate Director of Community Fundraising at the Children’s Cancer Research Fund and Camp Norden, emphasized the importance of this local dedication. "The generosity inspired by this gala ensures that Camp Norden remains a sanctuary where kids can simply be kids," Kier stated. Her comments underscore a factual reality of non-profit management: without dedicated community events, programs like Camp Norden would face significant budgetary shortfalls. The $109,000 raised represents more than just a financial figure; it translates into hundreds of hours of camp activities, medical supplies for on-site nurses, and the logistical infrastructure required to host children with complex needs.
Chronology of the Maddy Nelson Memorial Foundation
To understand the scale of the recent gala, it is necessary to view it within the context of the foundation’s decade-long timeline:
- 2014–2015: Maddy Nelson undergoes intensive treatment for a rare childhood cancer.
- May 2016: Maddy Nelson passes away at age 18, shortly before her high school graduation.
- 2017–2022: The Nelson family begins early fundraising efforts, establishing the groundwork for a formal foundation focused on pediatric cancer support.
- 2023: Faith Nelson passes away following a snowmobile accident, leading to a broadening of the foundation’s mission to include organ donation awareness.
- 2024: Planning begins for the inaugural Walk by Faith Gala, intended to unify the family’s various charitable goals.
- Early 2025: The first Walk by Faith Gala is held, establishing the event as a premiere fundraising vehicle in St. Paul.
- Current Cycle (2026): The second annual gala surpasses previous milestones, raising over $109,000 with nearly 450 attendees.
The Role of Corporate and Individual Sponsorship
The success of the gala was bolstered by a diverse coalition of sponsors and donors. In the non-profit sector, events of this magnitude require significant upfront underwriting to ensure that a high percentage of the funds raised at the event go directly to the beneficiaries. The $109,000 milestone was reached through a combination of silent and live auctions, individual "fund-a-need" pledges, and corporate sponsorships from local businesses in the Twin Cities area.
The silent auction featured items ranging from local art—some of which paid homage to Faith’s love of pottery—to travel packages and sports memorabilia. This diverse array of auction items is a standard but effective strategy in gala management, designed to engage donors at various economic levels.
Broader Implications for Pediatric Cancer Support
The implications of the Walk by Faith Gala extend beyond the immediate financial contribution. By raising awareness for Camp Norden and the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, the event educates the public on the long-term needs of cancer survivors. Pediatric cancer is not merely a medical event but a life-altering journey that continues long after the final treatment session. Programs like Camp Norden address the "late effects" of cancer, including the social anxiety and isolation that many survivors feel when returning to school or standard social environments.
Furthermore, the foundation’s support for LifeSource highlights the ongoing need for organ donation advocacy in the Midwest. By sharing Faith’s story, the gala encourages attendees to consider the impact of donation, potentially increasing registration rates in the region.
Conclusion: A Community Bound by Purpose
The second annual Walk by Faith Gala serves as a case study in how personal tragedy can be systematically channeled into community-wide benefit. The gathering of 450 people in downtown St. Paul was more than a social event; it was a logistical and financial success that provides a lifeline for multiple organizations. As the Maddy Nelson Memorial Foundation looks toward its third year, the momentum generated by this $109,000 achievement suggests a sustainable future for the programs it supports. The evening stood as a testament to the fact that while the loss of Maddy and Faith Nelson left a void in their community, their names continue to drive a movement that brings hope, play, and essential support to thousands of others facing their own battles.
