Brighter Tomorrows helping kids battling cancer and their families

(ABC 6 News) – Nearly everyone has been affected by cancer, whether it’s personally, or with a loved one. Sometimes without a lot of support. That’s why Brighter Tomorrows is making sure no one has to go through their battle alone.

In 2004, Liz Canan’s son was diagnosed with brain cancer. Early on in the treatment process, she realized it would be nice to connect with other families who are going through the same struggles. Canan is the founder of Brighter Tomorrows and said, "the power of those connections and sharing similar journeys, is just powerful and so helpful. I wanted to be able to create an organization that could help do that, and connect other families and support them through their journey."

Brighter Tomorrows is a nonprofit in Rochester that provides support for families with a child battling cancer. Saturday, at Silver Lake Park, the group held its "Go for the Gold" fundraising event. But, it takes a whole community to make this all possible.

Co-chair of the Go for the Gold event, Lizzy Hansen says, coordinating this event has been so rewarding for her. "Helping people, especially people who need it. I love supporting people, being there. I can’t personally relate to them on a deeper level, but no matter what I can do I am always there to help them out," said Hansen.

Martijn Bos’s son Christian was diagnosed with leukemia three and a half years ago and couldn’t be more thankful for the support of Better Tomorrows through their journey.

"They came to us fairly early in the diagnosis and we first avoided it because we has so much support from family and friends. But when we finally connected, we really felt that we made a new family. Because it’s other families that are facing this journey and families that get it. And when you talk to them, they say we’ve been there we know what you feel which was a piece in the puzzle that supported it," said Bos.

Christian complete treatment last November and is now getting ready to start the second grade and have a bright future ahead.

To donate or to get involved with Brighter Tomorrows click here