Jessica Beckstrand, left, sits with her daughter Layla, 4, holding some of the money raised and cards made for their family’s non-profit, Strong Cares Guild, at their home on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019 in Marysville, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Jessica Beckstrand, left, sits with her daughter Layla, 4, holding some of the money raised and cards made for their family’s non-profit, Strong Cares Guild, at their home on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019 in Marysville, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Her daughter survived cancer. Now she wants to help others.

A new nonprofit in Snohomish County helps families receiving services at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

MARYSVILLE — Jessica Beckstrand knows what families are going through when their children are patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Especially in cancer care.

Beckstrand’s daughter, Layla, was diagnosed at 18 months old with high-risk neuroblastoma, which targets the nervous system.

Layla is turning 5 in March and recently celebrated two years since completing treatment. Altogether, her medical care would have cost the family around $3 million.

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, the bills were covered.

Now the Beckstrands want to help others like them.

Jessica Beckstrand has started a new nonprofit called Strong Cares Guild. Seattle Children’s, which has a clinic in Everett, is affiliated with 16 guilds supporting its “Strong Against Cancer” initiative.

“You don’t really think about anything when your kid’s in the hospital, but once treatment was done, I thought I understand these parents and these kids, and I can give advice,” Beckstrand said.

The Strong Cares Guild, based at her home in Marysville, is focused on financial aid for families as well as research into pediatric cancer treatment.

So far, there have been a few garage sales, and more events and fundraisers are planned. Members are drawn from throughout Western Washington and they hope to add to their ranks. There is no time commitment for volunteers, though there are monthly meetings at the hospital.

Those gatherings may move farther north as membership grows, Beckstrand said.

The Beckstrand family in 2017. (Beckstrand family photo)

The Beckstrand family in 2017. (Beckstrand family photo)

As the guild’s president, she’s also looking for business sponsors and donated items for future auctions.

Before Layla got sick, her mother had volunteered with service organizations, mostly those focused on homelessness.

Beckstrand remembers feeling like she didn’t truly understand the lived experiences of those she was trying to help.

With the guild, it’s different, she said. She’s been there with Layla.

“We put in over 14,000 miles in one year driving to and from the hospital for her appointments, in-person stays, radiation, surgeries, you name it,” Beckstrand said.

Owen and Layla Beckstrand in April 2018. (Beckstrand family photo)

Owen and Layla Beckstrand in April 2018. (Beckstrand family photo)

When she inquired with hospital officials about ways to give back, they recommended assistance for families who are traveling to Washington to participate in clinical trials.

Beckstrand also wanted proceeds to go toward research into cancer treatments specifically for children.

Too often, it seemed like the chemotherapy drugs made for adults were simply scaled down for little ones, she said. The guild supports both those missions.

Layla Beckstrand and her brother Owen in 2016. (Beckstrand family photo)

Layla Beckstrand and her brother Owen in 2016. (Beckstrand family photo)

These days, Layla’s in preschool, and her brother, Owen, 7, is at Sunnyside Elementary. Students there recently organized a fundraiser for the guild that’s collected $287 and counting.

Both Beckstrand’s children are big fans of the Avengers series. She is thinking that a showing of the new “Captain Marvel” movie, which has a female lead, sounds like a great outing for a fifth birthday.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @rikkiking.

Get involved

The Strong Cares Guild is affiliated with Seattle Children’s Hospital.

To learn more, email strongcaresguild@gmail.com or go to the “Strong Cares Guild” page on Facebook.

For information about other ways to support the hospital, including joining or started guilds, go to www.seattlechildrens.org/giving.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
On second go, Mukilteo City Council votes against sales tax hike

A veto from Mayor Joe Marine forced the council to bring the potential 0.1% sales tax increase back for another vote Monday.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Two visitors comb the beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Tulalip, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Nate Nehring and WSU Beach Watchers to host beach cleanup at Kayak Point

Children and families are especially encouraged to attend the event at Kayak Point Regional County Park.

One person dead in single-vehicle fatal crash near Stanwood

A 33-year-old male was found dead at the scene Monday evening with his vehicle partially wrapped around a tree.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish Regional firefighters respond to nearly 90 calls on the Fourth

While crews stayed busy on Independence Day, it was far more peaceful than other years.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo approves 84-acre annexation east of Speedway

The annexation of unincorporated land is expected to bring new revenue to the city as it faces budget challenges.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.