By admin 
The downtown landscape of St. Paul, Minnesota, recently served as the backdrop for a significant philanthropic milestone as nearly 450 guests convened for the second annual Walk by Faith Gala. Organized by the Maddy Nelson Memorial Foundation, the event was designed to channel collective community grief into a powerful force for charitable action, ultimately raising more than $109,000. These funds are earmarked for several critical organizations, most notably Camp Norden, a specialized summer camp program operated under the auspices of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. The success of the evening highlights a growing trend in localized, family-led foundations playing a pivotal role in bridging the funding gaps within the pediatric healthcare sector.
The gala represents the culmination of a decade-long journey for the Nelson family, whose lives were irrevocably altered by the challenges of childhood cancer. The foundation’s namesake, Maddy Nelson, was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric cancer during her high school years—a period typically defined by milestones and future planning. Despite undergoing an arduous regimen of intensive treatments, which led to a brief period of remission, the disease returned with aggressive persistence. Maddy passed away in May 2016 at the age of 18, only days before she was set to graduate from high school. Her passing left a void in her community but also planted the seeds for a legacy of service that would eventually benefit hundreds of other families facing similar medical crises.
A Legacy of Resilience and Remembrance
The evolution of the Maddy Nelson Memorial Foundation from a small commemorative effort into a significant regional donor reflects the resilience of the Nelson family and the St. Paul community. For years following Maddy’s death, the family worked to maintain her memory through acts of kindness and small-scale fundraising. However, the mission of the foundation took on an even deeper layer of meaning following a second tragedy in 2023. Faith Nelson, Maddy’s sister and a primary champion of the foundation’s work, passed away following a snowmobile accident.
Faith was widely recognized in her community as a multifaceted individual—a gifted potter, a standout athlete in both volleyball and softball, and an enthusiastic outdoorswoman who found solace in hiking, camping, and hunting. The Walk by Faith Gala, which saw its inaugural event in 2025, was renamed and restructured to honor the "vibrant legacy" of both sisters. By intertwining the memories of Maddy and Faith, the gala has become more than a fundraiser; it is a celebration of lives lived with purpose and a testament to the idea that personal loss can be transformed into a broader societal benefit.
Strategic Funding and Community Partners
The $109,000 raised during this year’s event is distributed among three primary beneficiaries, each chosen for their specific impact on the lives of children and families navigating life-altering health challenges. While the Children’s Cancer Research Fund’s Camp Norden is a primary recipient, the foundation also directed funds toward HopeKids and LifeSource.
Camp Norden occupies a unique niche in the recovery and support ecosystem for pediatric cancer patients. Unlike traditional summer camps, Camp Norden is specifically designed to accommodate the medical and emotional needs of children who have been touched by cancer. The program offers a space where children can engage in traditional camp activities—such as swimming, arts and crafts, and outdoor exploration—within a safe, supportive environment that understands their unique physical limitations and psychological stressors.
The importance of such programs is backed by psychological research into "therapeutic recreation." For children who have spent months or years in sterile hospital environments, the opportunity to "simply be kids" is vital for emotional development and trauma recovery. Furthermore, the Walk by Faith Gala ensures that these experiences remain entirely cost-free for the families, removing the financial barriers that often prevent pediatric patients from accessing extracurricular support.
Expanding the Reach: HopeKids and LifeSource
The inclusion of HopeKids and LifeSource as beneficiaries reflects the Nelson family’s holistic approach to community support. HopeKids provides a recurring social calendar of events and a powerful support physician-approved community for families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition. By funding this organization, the gala helps provide "hope" through a sense of normalcy and community belonging, which is often lost during the isolation of long-term medical treatment.
LifeSource, on the other hand, focuses on organ, eye, and tissue donation. As an organization that serves the upper Midwest, LifeSource plays a critical role in the "gift of life" pipeline. The foundation’s support for LifeSource acknowledges the complex realities of end-of-life care and the profound impact that donation can have on saving other lives—a mission that aligns with the Nelson family’s commitment to turning their personal tragedies into opportunities for others to survive and thrive.
The Economic Context of Pediatric Cancer Philanthropy
The success of the Walk by Faith Gala comes at a time when pediatric cancer research and support services face significant funding hurdles. Nationally, childhood cancer research receives only about 4% of the federal funding allocated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This disparity places a heavy burden on private foundations and community-led initiatives to fund not only the search for cures but also the essential quality-of-life programs like Camp Norden.
Financial analysts in the non-profit sector note that events like the Walk by Faith Gala are essential for maintaining the "safety net" of pediatric care. With the average cost of childhood cancer treatment exceeding $800,000 per case when considering direct medical costs and lost parental wages, the existence of free programs like those funded by the Nelson family is a critical economic relief for families in the Twin Cities region and beyond.
Perspectives from the Philanthropic Community
Sarah Kier, the associate director of community fundraising at the Children’s Cancer Research Fund and Camp Norden, emphasized the profound impact of the foundation’s work during her address at the gala. She noted that the "unwavering dedication" of the Maddy Nelson Memorial Foundation provides a level of stability that allows programs like Camp Norden to plan for the future with confidence.
"The Walk by Faith Gala is a beautiful tribute to Maddy and Faith," Kier stated. "The generosity it inspires ensures Camp Norden remains a place where kids who have been touched by childhood cancer can simply be kids—with no cost to their families."
The sentiment was echoed by attendees, many of whom have been long-time supporters of the Nelson family. The gala featured a silent auction and a formal dinner, where the 450 guests were given a firsthand look at the tangible outcomes of their donations. The visual representation of the auction items and the testimonials from families who have benefited from Camp Norden served as a powerful reminder of the human element behind the data and dollar signs.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The trajectory of the Walk by Faith Gala suggests a sustainable model for community-based philanthropy. By leveraging personal narratives and clear, transparent goals, the Maddy Nelson Memorial Foundation has managed to grow its donor base significantly in just two years. The transition from $0 to over $109,000 in annual fundraising is a benchmark that many small foundations strive to achieve.
Looking forward, the foundation aims to expand its reach, potentially increasing the number of children who can attend Camp Norden and broadening the scope of its support for HopeKids and LifeSource. The event also serves as a case study in how "community-led" fundraising can often be more agile and responsive than large-scale national charities. Because the Nelsons and their supporters are deeply embedded in the St. Paul and broader Minnesota community, they are able to identify specific local needs and address them with precision.
As the evening concluded in downtown St. Paul, the message was clear: while the loss of Maddy and Faith Nelson remains a profound tragedy for their family and friends, the "Walk by Faith" initiative has successfully transformed that grief into a legacy of hope. The $109,000 raised is more than a financial figure; it represents thousands of hours of camp activities, dozens of family outings through HopeKids, and a continued commitment to life-saving medical advocacy. In a world where childhood cancer remains a daunting adversary, the efforts of the Maddy Nelson Memorial Foundation provide a vital beacon of light, proving that when a community comes together with purpose, the impact can be both meaningful and enduring.
