Riley's Rockstars
Riley’s Rockstars are people who are especially inspiring. Like Riley, these children have inspired others to be brave, hopeful and strong through their battle with childhood cancer.
Do you know a rockstar who could use the support of The Riley Rocks Memorial Foundation? Nominate them below!
Because we understand the challenges that come with battling childhood cancer, we help families fighting this same battle. If nominated, our rockstars receive a much-needed grant that can be used to ease the financial burden while they are bravely fighting cancer.
Meet Riley's Rockstars
Johnny is a brother who loves arts and crafts, the solar system, swimming, and jumping on the trampoline. He was diagnosed at 7 months old with Neuroblastoma, a cancer affecting the brain. Johnny battled stage 4 Neuroblastoma for seven years and despite this, he is thriving!
Harper is a talented dancer who is smart, funny, and super stylish. She likes clothes and make-up, loves dance, competing, and hanging out with friends. When she grows up, Harper wants to be a professional dancer, which, with her competitive nature, she will definitely accomplish. Harper was the foundation’s first-ever Rockstar in 2020. Harper has been in remission for almost since 2020!
Ellie’s current interests are Barbies, swimming, making jewelry and anything pink! Ellie’s family used the Riley Rocks Memorial grant for flights to see a specialized doctor in North Carolina. Ellie was diagnosed at the age of one with Neuroblastoma and she is back to being an active six year old girl!
Dariel’s hobbies include swimming, scootering, biking, and watching cartoons. He loves soccer, especially Lionel Messi, his family, and his new baby sister. Dariel was diagnosed at 2 years old with Leukemia and is officially cancer free!
Her love for traveling has taken her to New York, Canada, Florida, North Carolina, Hawaii, and Ohio. She grew up with her father and grandfather, two brothers, and an older sister who also battled Osteosarcoma. Darcy adores her niece, Leah, who just turned two and is Darcy’s “motivation to do better with everything I do.” Darcy, or Auntie Cece, has helped to raise Leah. Darcey was diagnosed at 16 years old with Osteosarcoma. She is currently in remission and is working, traveling, and continuing her education.
Jase loved life and he LOVED trains. Jase was loving, kind, empathetic, brave, resilient, and silly. Above all, he was so, so happy. And many people were pulled in by the gravitational force of his massive heart, his smile, and his energetic spirit. Jase loved making wooden and electric train tracks throughout the house, going to Maine, NH, and NYC. He loved being outside – going to the playground, swimming, fishing and buzzing around on his snowmobile and quad. Jase loved his pets, his doctors and nurses, and his family. "When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."
Ava and her family have raised over $200k in support for foundations that have affected their family. She is a spunky, energetic and excited little girl who spends much of her time giving back after her diagnosis. Ava was diagnosed in March of 2023 with ALL and she is finishing treatment in the Spring of 2025!
Walter is known by his friends as a “warrior toddler.” Walter loves trucks, dinosaurs, and playing on his indoor slide. Walter was diagnosed at 11 months old with Choroid plexus carcinoma. He is no longer in active treatment and has bounced back to his “goofy, playful” self.
Philip was diagnosed at four and a half years old with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, cancer affecting the blood.
Philip has a passion for his family, friends, pride, and giving to others. Any gift Philip received, he used to give to others, either in his circle or patients at the hospital. Philip fought and beat cancer three times in his short time on this earth. On April 6, 2021, Philip gained his wings. He truly left this world better than he found it.
Philip’s family received the grant money and the foundation attended his incredibly beautiful and moving celebration of life.
Auden is the brightest light whose smile is absoutely contagious. She has a calming and kind presence and works to bring joy to those around her always. She was diagnosed when she was a freshman in college. She has now been in remission for two and a half years, she is in school studying art therapy, and volunteering for Riley Rocks to advocate for other childhood cancer warriors.
Matteo is an active soccer player and avid sports fan. He was diagnosed with AML this year and during his stay at BCH he met some really cool athletes and heroes of his. He just began his battle but has a great mindset and community!
Kota loves playing football, soccer, video games, and anything that keeps him active. Kota was diagnosed with Philadelphia Chromosome-positive ALL, cancer affecting the blood, in 2021, and he is actively back at all his normal activities!
Adrian was a brother, son, and lover of all things minions and transformers. He was diagnosed at 2 years old with Clival Chardoma and fought bravely unti shortly after his fourth birthday. He was surrounded by a beautful community and family who made him smile, giggle, and made many fun wishes come true.
William is in remission and doing great! He loves baseball, golf, and hockey. He wins awards for his hard work on the ice. At only 6 years old, William has the best personality and energy for life. He is a great big brother and has the best family that very intentionally gives back to the organizations that were a part of his battle.
Emma was diagnosed with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia a month before she turned 1.
She's silly, outgoing, adventurous, and optimistic with a little sprinkle of sass! This roadblock hasn't stopped her in the slightest--she continues to smile, laugh, discover, experience and live life to the fullest. She is a dancer and will never miss the opportunity to show off her kicks and tricks!
Gabriel was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was 2 years old. He is still in treatment, keeping up with weekly medication and testing, but is doing very well! He has maintained his strength and resilience for being such young boy in these circumstances.
He loves to play with trucks & slime, go for walks, take vacations and spend time with his family. Gabriel just celebrated his sixth birthday with a big soccer themed party!
Isaac was diagnosed with Gangioneuroblastoma last year at only six years old. He is currently being treated with Chemotherapy. His family uses their grant money towards their groceries.
He's a big fan of Spiderman and loves to dress up in stylish outfits and his gold chain.
Kalli was diagnosed with cancer when she was 13 years old. She had previously been diagnosed with congenital heart disease, underlying immune disorders, a compromised lung and has undergone four major surgeries.
Fortunately, she's thriving right now and has been able to get back to school and spend time with her friends! She's a huge fan of musical theater and was part of her highschool's productions of The Addams Family & Willy Wonka.
In December 2023, Emiel was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma when he was two years old and it spread. Luckily Emiel was able to bravely fight his diagnosis and today he is cancer free!!!
Emiel is a loving and caring boy. He loves spending time and playing with his older siblings. Emiel always brings joy to every room with his amazing smile and warm hugs. He enjoys the outdoors and loves all animals especially ocean animals.
River is bravely battling with a diagnosis of Medulloblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain and spinal cord cancer. River has just completed a clinical treatment at St. Jude’s in Memphis and has recently moved down to Florida and is loving his new house!
River is a happy and energetic 3 year old who loves all kinds of sports, dinosaurs, and trucks. His favorite thing to do is spend time with his twin younger brothers!
Last November, Luca was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL). Throughout these months, Luca the Brave has shown resilience and strength that has inspired his family and everyone around him.
Luca loves superheroes - especially Batman - and has been showing his hero strength as he continues to fight his own battle. #lucastrong
William was diagnosed with cancer in February 2023. He finished his treatment in September 2023 and continues to have clean scans.
William loves attending school every day and coming home to play with his two older sisters. He loves all things letters and numbers!
Chayse was diagnosed with B-Cell ALL in August of 2024. Chayse has had to overcome many obstacles during his chemo treatment, which include dealing with the adverse and uncomfortable side effects. He has been so resilient through these last 10 months and shown so much strength.
The family is looking forward to the day they can say he is cancer free. Chayse’s brothers are by his side and encourage him to stay strong. He still enjoys playing baseball with his team and hanging out with his friends who have been a great support for him as well.
A year ago, William was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma. Sending himself and his family on a life-changing journey that no parent or child should ever have to take. Through every step of his journey, William showed amazing resilience in the face of his diagnosis. Him and his family are incredibly grateful for the amazing support they’ve received from their community.
A year later, William is in remission and is stronger than ever! Even completing his first triathlon a few months ago!
Ella Jade O'Donnell passed away in 2016 after an 11 month battle with brain cancer. She was beautiful, sweet, and super sassy. She was a talented dancer and an inspiration to her Peabody community. Ella's family and friends came together to form Ella's Army and Ella's Army Inc continues to raise funding for pediatric brain cancer research and family support.
Riley and Ella were in treatment together and we are so grateful for her family’s partnership in supporting our Rockstars. All these years later, Riley and Ella are able to make a difference and impact together.
In 2008, Nora was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma, a rare type of cancer. She took the diagnosis in stride and did not let it affect her willingness to enjoy life. As a best friend to Riley Rocks Volunteer Ali, Ali stood by Nora’s side through middle school as her health increasingly declined and chemo and hospital visits became the new normal.
The spring after Nora turned 14 years old she lost her battle with cancer. The impact that Nora had on everyone she met is truly extraordinary. Ali spends every day in her career and volunteering continuing Nora’s legacy.
In June 2023, Autumn was diagnosed with Fanconi anemia (FA), a rare and incurable genetic disorder. Autumn underwent high-dose chemotherapy, endured devastating side effects, and received a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from a 25-year-old donor. Her strength carried her through weeks in the hospital and over a year of isolation, countless transfusions, and follow-up treatments. Today, Autumn is back in school, horseback riding, and playing with friends, happy and thriving. But this is not the end of her fight. Her family remains vigilant, knowing that early detection is her best chance for survival. Despite the challenges, Autumn continues to inspire with her resilience and joy.
Eliana was diagnosed in late 2021 with Opsoclonus Myoclonus Ataxia Syndrome and Neuroblastoma at 16 months old after losing all ability to walk, crawl and even sit. She had her tumor resection shortly after at 17 months old as well as many rounds of steroids and rituximab. Ellie is considered NED with her most recent clear MRI being this month, although she is still in active treatment for her OMAS which involves monthly IVIg infusions. She is a courageous and sassy four year old who certainly fits the Rockstar mold.
In May, Luca was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Luca completed induction at UMASS in Worcester and is undergoing treatment to fight this battle.
Luca is a strong, brave little fighter with a heart full of courage. He loves legos, star wars, and being a great big brother!
help make a difference
There are plenty of ways you can help contribute to The Riley Rocks Foundation.
Riley Rocks Memorial Foundation
Rockstar Nomination
Eligibility requirements
- Child must have a cancer diagnosis
- Child must be 21 years or younger
- Child must live or receive treatment in New England
For application questions, please contact us in the form at the bottom of this page.