For two years, Tosha and Chad Morris equipped their young son Gavin for a battle with Neuroblastoma and along the way, inspired the region, state – and world. The mantra “Gavin Strong” became synonymous with superhero courage and positive attitude. Gavin – often in his Superman gear and always with a smile on his face and a dance in his step – was a lesson in motion of how not to let cancer change the core of one’s being.

 

The family’s mission was to see Gavin and thousands of other children around the world healed of the disease.  Despite the fact that one in 330 children are diagnosed with cancer, a mere 4 percent of the federal government’s $5 billion cancer research budget is dedicated to the funding of childhood cancer.

 

To that effort, Gavin’s support system joined the front lines of those advocating for increased funding. Through the organization, “The Truth 365,” the family set a goal to gather 100,000 signatures to make childhood cancer research a priority. That goal was reached. Tosha Morris received a personal call from Senator Joe Manchin, promising further attention to the lack of funding. The Morris family also embraced Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, founded by Alexandra "Alex" Scott, a four-year-old on a mission to find a cure for all childhood cancers.

 

Gavin Morris became cancer free on March 10 when he passed from this world after battling Neuroblastoma half his young life. Gavin’s spirit, smile and super courage live on. So do his words.

 

Just days ago, Tosha Morris heard loud and clear four little words which often came off Gavin’s lips: “I have an idea!” This time, the idea is to set a personal fundraising goal of $1 million for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, via the Gavin  Strong Fund.

 

“At first, I set an immediate goal, but the more I thought about it, the more determined I got,” she said. “Gavin changed so many lives and inspired us all with his determination and mind set in such a short time. If he had a say, he would tell me, ‘YOU CAN DO THIS!’ in the most determined, and enthusiastic voice.”

 

Tosha Morris decided to share her goal publicly and be held accountable. She vows to display the same determination, energy and robust attitude that her young son inspired in several thousand viewers of his video series and those around the globe who sported their best “strongman poses” on his behalf.

 

It’s an enthusiastic goal – but not an unrealistic one, Tosha Morris said. After all, Alex herself set a $1 million goal and surpassed that at her young age. It’s a goal she cannot reach alone, but one which can be accomplished with the pay it forward spirit that has been displayed and shared during and after Gavin’s fight.

“I am so grateful for all of the support my family has received along our journey, and I want to pay it forward more than anything in this world,” she said. “I cannot imagine a more personable, worthy cause than to help fund research for what took my own sweet child's life! There is nothing in this world I want more than to find a cure and stop this from happening to yet another innocent child.”

 

Members of the Morris family have done some number crunching and have realized a feasible way to reach the million dollar goal in one year. If each of the nearly 7,000 members of The Be Gavin Strong Facebook group donates just $10 per month – for a year – it would nearly be a done deal. That amount of money, Tosha Morris points out, is the price of a fast food meal, a couple gallons of gasoline, a pizza or movie ticket. Money can be pledged via private donation or raised through a “Pay it Forward” event such as a lemonade stand, bake sale or other fundraising effort. The sky is the limit, she said. 

 

With one hour of childhood cancer research costing about $50, $1 million could provide nearly 10 years of research toward finding a new innovative treatment, a new drug combination or even a cure, Morris said.

 

“In the big scheme of things, $1 million doesn't seem so much when you look at it that way,” she said.

 

Morris said she can visualize Gavin's story being spread nation and worldwide. She is as determined to find a cure as innocent children are to keep living, she said.

 

“All I'm really asking for is some help... to ease my own pain, the pain of other families affected by cancer - and the ones that are yet to find out their life will be forever changed by cancer,” Morris said.

 

Her goal is to encourage teamwork among those with a common goal and to pay it forward in Gavin's honor – saving as many suffering children as possible. Since announcing her personal goal, feedback has been astounding.

 

“But honestly, I'm not surprised, because Gavin was contagious,” she said. “He brought families, friends, communities and complete strangers together in so many positive ways. I am humbled by the number of people graciously paying it forward in their everyday life and also in helping me reach my personal goal.”

 

Join the Be Gavin Strong Facebook page here. Donate to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, via the Gavin Strong Fund, here: http://www.alexslemonade.org/campaign/gavin-strong-fund-neuroblastoma-research. To date, $9,945 has been raised.