The Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation

Christmas and cancer. They are the two common threads at an annual Christmas party put on by the Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation. The group was started twelve years ago by a cancer survivor who saw firsthand the difficulties of celebrating the season when you are experiencing such a traumatic disease. Soon after, the BYU Basketball Team got involved. It has since become an annual tradition.

For Cheryl Rose, wife of BYU Basketball Coach Dave Rose, Christmas comes several months early.
Cheryl helps plan the party and, by way of generous donations, shops for several hundred children each year. It’s an effort the families are grateful for.

“Their focus is on the child and getting the child better,” Cheryl explains. “So Christmas shopping is usually the last thing on their minds. For us to do this for them…it’s a huge relief to them and just lifts a huge burden off their shoulders.”

“I just believe when you can be in a position to help other people, it makes you feel better and our players really enjoy that,” BYU Coach Dave Rose said. “It has really become part of our Christmas.”


The Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation welcomes and appreciates donations. New, wrapped toys are always needed for children ages 18 months to 18 years. For more information, or to make a donation, contact the BYU Basketball Office: (801) 422-3612.

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