Dancing While Cancering

I'm talking to my friend and fellow Am Shalom board member, Pammy Kramer, at temple. We’re ushering, welcoming people in, and we start chatting about our lives and our families. I ask Pammy about her children, and she begins to tell me about her daughter Maddie, and I hold back tears.

Pammy and her husband, Scott, experienced a tragedy no parent should ever have to face. Their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in her spinal cord. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries and treatments, Maddie never stopped dancing, smiling, or living life to the fullest. It was this unyielding spirit that inspired Pammy and Scott to create Dancing While Cancering, a nonprofit dedicated to providing joy, comfort, and smiles to other children battling cancer.

Their mission was born out of a deep desire to bring positivity into the lives of those who need it most. As Pammy shared with me, "Even though we couldn't control the outcome, we wanted to control how she experienced cancer. We wanted to keep her toddler innocence intact, to let her keep playing, singing, and dancing."

Through Dancing While Cancering, Pammy and Scott have made a profound impact on families across the country. The foundation’s signature program, Smile Packs, delivers backpacks filled with gifts like wireless speakers, musical instruments, and room decorations to newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients. These gifts are designed to bring a little brightness into a dark and overwhelming experience. What started with Lurie Children’s hospital has grown to 27 hospitals! Pammy commented, “We wanted to be in Chicago, Michigan, and Philly as we had connections there, and then through friends, family, and colleagues it just grew. We have around 27 partner hospitals nationwide.”

Pammy and Scott's commitment to creating joy doesn't stop there. They also developed Maddie’s Character Closets, spaces in oncology wards where children can select toys to play with during their treatment. Whether it's helping a child escape the weight of their diagnosis for a few moments or simply decorating their hospital room with a personalized touch, Dancing While Cancering is dedicated to making the cancer journey just a little bit easier for children and their families. When I asked who handles the purchasing, Pammy answered with a smile, “Me! We keep costs down by doing all the work. When a hospital needs something, I order it.”

What struck me the most was how their foundation operates. Dancing While Cancering is an entirely volunteer-driven operation, with no paid staff or marketing budget. Everything they raise goes directly into their programs. Their fundraising is based on word-of-mouth, and they’ve raised $300,000 annually without relying on costly events or large-scale campaigns.

Their major event? It’s not a gala or a fancy fundraiser. It’s a simple, heartfelt campaign on June 26, Maddie’s birthday, where they encourage people to donate $26 in honor of Maddie’s spirit. It’s an incredibly meaningful and impactful day that has raised $50,000 to $75,000 annually. They’ve relied on their personal relationships and genuine connections to build a movement that has impacted so many children and families.

Pammy shared with me that, “We never set out to make this a big operation. We just wanted to make a difference in Maddie’s honor. If we raise $300,000, that’s amazing. But even if it was just us giving, we’d still be doing this work. It’s not about the money; it’s about the joy we can bring.”

As I listened to Pammy talk about Dancing While Cancering, I couldn’t help but be inspired by their incredible work. They’ve turned a tragic moment into something so positive, and they’ve done it in a way that’s focused on human connections—the smiles, the laughter, the joy—that make life just a little bit brighter, even in the darkest times.

Pammy and Scott’s journey with Dancing While Cancering is a powerful reminder of the profound difference we can make when we choose to focus on love, joy, and giving back. Their commitment to spreading Maddie’s light and legacy is an inspiration, and I’m honored to be able to share their story.

To learn more about Dancing While Cancering and to donate visit their website.

Let’s continue to #ShineMaddiesLight and bring smiles to children battling cancer across the country.