How does a young child thrive when he’s lost a parent to cancer? Not many people know the answer to this daunting question. However, three years after his father, Michael Voytilla, lost his battle with sarcoma (a rare cancer), his son Chance has found support, community, opportunities, focus and inner strength. It has been a long journey to get to where Chance is today and his story included helping others via the Walk With Sally Organization.
Walk With Sally is a nonprofit organization that provides support to children ages 7 to 17 in L.A. County who are experiencing the trauma of a loved one’s cancer diagnosis. Through this program, Walk With Sally aims to create meaningful relationships between children and adults who share the common bond of living with or losing a loved one to cancer. They achieve this by matching each child with a mentor who understands the struggle they face and acts as an advocate for them. Walk with Sally also hosts monthly events and workshops to create a sense of community.
Chance and his younger brother Bode joined the Walk With Sally Program in 2018 as mentees. Since then, they’ve enjoyed a fun and adventurous friendship with their mentor, Jeff Wilson, from Hermosa Beach.
They’ve shared their respective stories of loss, all the while finding laughs, hope and strength in the process. They were matched because of their mutual interests including surfing, skiing and snowboarding, baseball and basketball. They’ve attended Dodgers, Lakers and LAFC games, gone skiing, bike riding and surfing and played tons of board games together. They also have in addition enjoyed Chance’s many Breakers Basketball Club, Zeller Baseball Club, and Lunada Bay Little League games.
Chance had never been involved in fundraising previously, so when Walk With Sally suggested he lead a team to raise funds to support other kids like him, he was unsure how to proceed. He always performed well academically and is a true go-getter. He never seems to tire despite his rigorous dual club sport schedule. However, he quickly decided to take on this new leadership challenge. Chance will lead a fundraising team, “Team Voytilla,” for Walk with Sally’s Annual Friendship Bowl, the organization’s biggest fundraiser during the weeks of April 1 to 30, 2022.
So Chance, with the help of his mother Julie, mapped out a plan, which included outreach, coordinating meetings, putting up a website, setting an initial goal of $250 and managing communication strategies with donors and attendees.
At first, Chance did not know if he’d be able to raise $250. However, he quickly realized how much impact his efforts had. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that I had raised over $1000 the first week,” Chance said. “Then I was up to $2500 the next week, then over $4000 by the third week.”
To date, Chance has raised over $5200 and the donations keep coming. He further asked his sister, Abby, if the company she works for would match funds as well.
“I am so thankful that we were able to raise so much money to help other families like mine, and that I could do this all in honor of my dad, my hero,” Chance said. “I am thankful to my community.”
Chance learned at a very young age that with help from others, it’s possible to thrive despite tragedy. He hopes the contributions he’s made to Walk With Sally will help others find that same understanding.
“My dad was an amazing role model, communicator and influence in my life,” Chance said. “He was never afraid to try new things, so I think I should have that outlook throughout my life.”
If you or someone you know needs cancer support
or you are interested in volunteering or donating
please contact:
Walk With Sally
310-322-3900
info@walkwithsally.org
www.walkwithsally.org
