Inspired by one. Fighting for many.
Our Mission - Why We Exist
The Natalie Strong Foundation is dedicated to supporting children and families impacted by leukemia through emotional, educational, and practical assistance.
Our mission is to provide comprehensive care that includes essential home resources for families transitioning from hospital to home, ensuring their child has a safe and healing environment.
We also offer educational tools to help caregivers set up their homes in ways that best support recovery. In addition, we are committed to funding research aimed at curing leukemia and improving the quality of life for those affected.
Our Story
It began with a whisper—a quiet yes when every reason screamed no. I wish this story were fiction. Natalie was just twelve years old when her world shifted. The diagnosis—ALL B-cell leukemia—came without warning, without mercy. One moment, she was full of light and laughter. The next, she was braving needles, IV poles, and long nights in sterile hospital rooms. We watched as our little girl gave more than seemed humanly possible. Her strength waned. Her body ached. But her spirit never dimmed. And then, in the thick of it—weak, frail, exhausted—she was asked for more. Would she be willing to donate extra bone marrow? Not for herself—for others. For children she would never meet. For a future she might never see. So that doctors could study her disease and use it to advance medicine, to give others a better chance than she had. She didn’t hesitate. Natalie said yes. Not for praise. Not for recognition. But because something deep within her understood the weight of compassion—that even in suffering, we can still choose kindness. Still choose to help. Still choose to hope. After the procedure, she limped for weeks—quietly, without complaint. I was there as her father, witnessing it all. Her pain became a quiet badge of honor. She never told anyone what it cost her. She only cared that maybe, somewhere, her yes made a difference.
That’s Natalie. That’s my little girl.
The Natalie Strong Foundation isn’t just a cause. It’s a continuation of that moment—of that heart, that love. It exists to carry forward what she began: silently, courageously, with eyes wide open and arms stretched toward someone else’s pain.
Every mile traveled by a parent who can now get their child to treatment is part of Natalie’s legacy—her compassion reaching farther than cancer ever could.
If you’ve made it this far, perhaps it’s because something in Natalie’s story has found a place within you—not with noise, but with a quiet, undeniable truth:
That this matters.
That she matters.
And maybe, just maybe, you were always meant to be part of what comes next.
Natalie gave all she could to help others. And through her, we continue—
not because we have to,
but because love asks us to.
We are in this together.
We are all #NatalieStrong.
About Natalie Marie Rodriguez
Natalie is the beating heart and inspiration behind the Natalie Strong Foundation. Diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at just 12 years old, Natalie has faced one of life’s hardest challenges with unwavering courage, radiant hope, and a grace beyond her years. But her strength didn’t start with her diagnosis it began long before.
Natalie has always had a heart of gold. She’s the proud and loving big sister to Emily and Christian, a guiding light in their lives, and a constant source of kindness and encouragement. Her compassion runs deep. Before her own battle with cancer began, Natalie was already fighting for others most especially for her grandmother, one of her heroes, who bravely survived cancer herself.
At just 11 years old, Natalie saw her grandma’s struggle and refused to stand by. She took it upon herself to make a difference baking homemade dog treats to raise money and awareness for cancer. For weeks, she stayed up late into the night, mixing, baking, bagging, and labeling treats with love. She raised $500 all on her own, pouring her heart into every batch, determined to help in any way she could. What no one knew then was that just six months later, Natalie would be fighting the very same disease she was working to defeat.
In addition to her activism, Natalie has been deeply involved in her faith community. A devoted member of her church’s youth ministry, she faithfully attended every Sunday. Her quiet strength and vibrant spirit made her a light to everyone around her, both in her church family and beyond.
Since her diagnosis, Natalie has shown the world what it truly means to be strong. Through hospital visits, long treatments, and days that would test anyone’s spirit, she has remained steadfast never letting go of her joy, her compassion for others, or her hope. Even in the hardest moments, Natalie continues to think of those around her, lifting up others with her smile, her words, and her ever-present kindness.
Natalie Strong isn’t just a slogan it’s who she is.
Her story is the soul of our mission. Through her example, we are reminded every day that even in the face of unimaginable hardship, love, resilience, and community can rise. Natalie’s life has already changed the world and through this foundation, her legacy of strength, generosity, and fierce compassion will continue to do so for countless families facing their own battles.
We Need Your Help
As a new nonprofit, our resources are limited. Right now, most of our funding comes directly from our founding board people who have lived this journey and couldn’t stand by without doing something. But we can’t do it alone. And we shouldn't have to.
If you're reading this, there's a reason. Maybe leukemia or cancer has touched your life. Maybe you've seen a family go through the unthinkable. Or maybe you're simply someone who believes no child should suffer without comfort, support, or hope.
This is your moment to step in.
Your donation isn’t just appreciated it’s urgently needed. It becomes:
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A bag of essentials for a scared child returning home after chemo
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Clean air and safe spaces for immunocompromised kids
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A warm meal for exhausted parents too overwhelmed to cook
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A lifeline for a family feeling isolated and afraid
You have the power to change the story.
When you support the Natalie Strong Foundation, you ensure that families fighting leukemia don’t do it in silence or without help. You become the reason a child smiles during treatment. The reason a parent breathes easier at night.
If not you then who?
Don’t wait. Donate now. Be the difference for a child who needs you today. Help us carry Natalie’s legacy forward, and build a world where no family walks this road alone.
Join Us in the Fight Against Leukemia
Please Consider Making a Donation
Your support means more than you know. Every donation, big or small, brings us one step closer to helping children and families facing life’s toughest battles. Together, we can bring hope, healing, and strength when it’s needed most. Thank you for considering a gift that truly makes a difference.
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