July 30, 2025 - MADERA, Calif. – For families facing the unimaginable, a new partnership is offering comfort, support and a little bit of joy – all neatly packed into a bright red wagon.
Warrior Wagons, Inc., a nonprofit that provides collapsible wagons filled with comfort and practical items to newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients, launched its partnership with Valley Children’s Healthcare in June 2025.
Staff at Valley Children’s assembled the wagons, attached the wheels and filled it with items before personally delivering the first batch to patients and their families in June.
The first two Warrior Wagons at Valley Children’s Hospital are sent off for delivery.
Founded in 2017 in memory of Drew Becker, who died from neuroblastoma at 2 years old, Warrior Wagons honors his legacy by supporting families facing childhood cancer. The organization has delivered more than 600 wagons to families across the country facing challenges similar to what the Beckers faced.
“Having worked closely over the years with these sweet patients and families, they face a number of barriers at diagnosis,” said Krystal Alvarado, a pediatric oncology medical social worker at Valley Children’s. “One of the barriers has been the amount of stuff they acquire in the hospital, packed bags for lengthy admissions, and a child who may have difficulty walking long distances.”
“A wagon was something I identified early on that would benefit them,” said Alvarado. “I’ve been searching for a reliable resource since 2017 and am grateful that Warrior Wagons is a nonprofit that chose to partner with us.”
The staff at Valley Children’s gathers to deliver the first two Warrior Wagons to patients.
The wagons are given to newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients under age 7 at partner hospitals. Each one includes a variety of items designed to ease the hospital experience, such as towels, quilts, blankets, gift cards, movies, books, games and headphones.
According to its website, the mission of Warrior Wagons is to “bring joy and hope, as well as to provide support to families as they embark on the challenging journey of childhood cancer treatment.”
The Valley Children’s branch of Warrior Wagons is led by Jennifer Cook, a charge nurse in the oncology clinic. As of late July, six wagons have been delivered, with a seventh scheduled for the end of the month.
To learn more about Warrior Wagons or to get involved, visit their website here.
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Source: Source: Valley Children's Healthcare, Madera County, CA.
