A breast cancer diagnosis impacts far more than the person receiving treatment—it affects the entire family emotionally, physically, financially, and mentally. As families navigate medical appointments, treatment side effects, mounting expenses, and overall exhaustion, children often notice the changes around them and face their own fears and emotions while trying to understand what their parents are experiencing.
At the same time, parents are often forced to adjust household budgets and daily routines, making it more difficult to provide extracurricular activities and experiences for their children due to financial constraints or limited time and energy. We recognize these challenges and are grateful that the Mood Williams Camp Scholarship Fund can help ease some of that burden by providing support that allows children to simply be kids—finding joy, creating memories, and enjoying meaningful experiences during a difficult season.
This summer, through Mood’s Fund, we were honored to support Tricia’s family by providing year-long memberships to Discovery Place Kids–Huntersville and the North Carolina Transportation Museum. These memberships give her young children opportunities to spend quality family time together while learning, exploring, and making lasting memories.
Meet Tricia and Her Family
Tricia was diagnosed with Stage IIB triple-negative invasive mammary carcinoma of the right breast in January 2026 at just 31 years old. At the time of her diagnosis, she was working as a nurse and was 35 weeks pregnant with her third child. Shortly after delivering her baby early, she began chemotherapy treatment and is scheduled to undergo a bilateral mastectomy in August 2026, followed by immunotherapy.
Tricia and her husband are raising three young children, ages 4, 2, and an infant. While her husband continues to work and provides for the family, the loss of Tricia’s income, combined with ongoing medical expenses and the daily costs of caring for young children, has created significant financial challenges. As they navigate treatment and family life, they continue to balance the emotional, physical, and financial demands that come with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Giving Opportunity & Joy
Tricia shared, “Receiving the support of Go Jen Go’s Mood Williams Camp Scholarship Fund has allowed us to provide fun activities for our children throughout treatment without a financial burden. It has given them the opportunity to have fun summer experiences and given our family a sense of normal during this journey.”
Learning & Exploring for Children
We love hearing how these camps and programs provide children with opportunities to find joy, build confidence, and simply enjoy being kids. Through their visits to the North Carolina Transportation Museum and Discovery Place Kids, Tricia has watched her children learn, explore, and experience new adventures together as a family. She especially treasures seeing them interact with her and her husband, engage with staff and other children, and embrace the wonder and excitement that comes with discovering something new.
Knowing that these experiences are creating meaningful memories during a challenging season fills our hearts with gratitude. One of the greatest joys of supporting families through the Mood Williams Camp Scholarship Fund is hearing directly from the children about what made them smile. Here’s what Tricia’s sweet children had to share about their museum adventures:
“I love both museums! I love playing and learning about and riding the trains. I like to spend time with my family. The kids museum is more fun than my house!” – James, Age 4
“I like to go! I love playing doctor.” – Harper, Age 2
A Mother’s Love & Reflection
No matter a child’s age, they recognize when their mom is sick and that life has changed. Even when parents try to protect them, children notice when a parent isn’t feeling well and often experience their own fears and emotions.
Tricia graciously shared her family’s experience in hopes of encouraging other parents facing breast cancer. Her story is a reminder that no one has to navigate the challenges of parenthood and treatment alone.
“My children have had a lot of anxiety since my diagnosis, particularly my four year old. My four year old has a much different understanding than my two year old. He is worried that mommy’s cancer can come back even once it is gone. My two year old had a hard time with me losing my hair because she likes to play with mommy’s hair to go to sleep and asks me if it will grow back one day. My infant has been affected by my loss of breastfeeding ability and the amount of time he had to be separated from me during treatments and procedures starting at only a few days old. He also had to be born early due to my diagnosis, but thankfully did really well. I hope that for my children this is one day a distant memory and that what sticks with them the most is how we have been supported by our family and our community.”
A child’s perspective is so honest and innocent. It’s the little things they notice, but their resiliency and love is so powerful.
“My mommy has cancer and sometimes she is too tired to play with me and playing is my favorite. My favorite thing will be if she has no more cancer.” – James
“Mommy has a baby (bald) head. My mommy is getting all better. My favorite is her cuddles!” – Harper
Go Jen Go’s Support & Connection
We are honored to support our grantees and cherish when they share what our foundation means to them. “Go Jen Go Foundation and the staff have been a wonderful support for us through this time. They made the process of getting my kids set up with memberships effortless and have continued to check in on me. The Day of Hope event was a wonderful experience for myself and my husband.”
We are grateful to Tricia for sharing her family’s experiences, reflecting on the impact these memberships have had, and allowing us to be part of their journey. Supporting families like hers is at the heart of our mission and a meaningful way for us to honor and carry forward Jen’s legacy every day.
Mood’s Fund
This summer we have provided 28 children with the opportunity to find joy and laughter with camps or programming through our Mood Williams Camp Scholarship Fund. We are grateful for our 2026 sponsors Nucor Charitable Foundation and Myers Park Methodist Church’s Builders Class. If you’d like to help support Mood’s Fund you can donate here or reach out to Jessie Nash, jessie@gojengo.org, to learn more about the fund and opportunities to get connected.
