Who We Are
Who We Are
Formerly known as Strong as Steele, the Taylor Steele Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help pediatric cancer patients. Cancer knows no age limit, and we know how challenging it is to go through after watching our girl, Taylor Steele, go through it. In her memory, we set out to brighten cancer warriors’ days to help them fight, live, love, and, most of all, laugh. We also strive to increase ovarian cancer awareness while supporting research for early testing and cures.
Your donation, no matter the amount, helps us keep Taylor’s dream alive while supporting young fighters. Go to our Donation page to make a contribution!
Meet Taylor: The Founder
At just 12 years old, Taylor Steele learned that she had ovarian cancer, a rare and challenging diagnosis for a child.
Despite her diagnosis, Taylor lived life to the fullest. She played competitive soccer, joined her high school’s basketball and golf teams, and even became the Associate Student Body president. One day, while she was at the hospital for chemo, she came up with the idea for the cancer foundation.
In her words, “I am a pediatric cancer patient with an adult disease. I understand both sides, and either way you look at it…Cancer is no fun! That is why I believe that we have to all work together to find a cure for this horrible disease.”
Taylor wanted to help other children with cancer smile, so she dreamed of creating an organization that brightened their day with essential support, helped them get the treatment they needed, and supported researchers.
For five years, Taylor was her authentic, compassionate self while fighting ovarian cancer. Although she left this world at 17, we will not forget her and the impact she made on this world.
Read this moving article about Taylor and her enduring impact in the Lodi News-Sentinel and the heartwarming segment featured in The Galt Herald Publication.
Taylor’s legacy lives on through the Taylor Steele Cancer Foundation as we continue to do our part by bringing smiles to young fighters. We will continue to support Child Life Services with gifts at Christmas, blankets made by Galt High School and Liberty Ranch FFA students, and other items they may request. Taylor felt like teens were sometimes forgotten and wanted to make sure they received age-appropriate items as well; we were able to provide iPads for these teens giving them an opportunity to maintain social contact with friends and family while in the hospital.
Read Taylor’s obituary and fond memories from those who knew her best.
“I am a fighter, I want to be a survivor, but mostly, I am a teenager that wants to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Donate today to make a difference in a child’s life!
Donate today!The History of Taylor Steele Cancer Foundation
When Taylor first received her cancer diagnosis, her soccer team and coach showed their support by wearing bracelets with the words “Strong as Steele.” Taylor used this phrase as her mantra every day and even as the original name for her cancer foundation.
We raise funds to support organizations close to Taylor’s heart, helping give young cancer warriors reasons to smile while in the hospital. We changed the name to Taylor Steele Cancer Foundation so that people can recognize Taylor’s name and see her compassion in everything we do.
Keeping Taylor's Legacy Alive
Today, a volunteer board and administration team run the Taylor Steele Cancer Foundation. We keep Taylor’s legacy alive by supporting those organizations that conduct gynecology and oncology research as well as supporting patients as they go through their treatment. Organizations we have supported in the past include: The Sunshine Kids, Sutter Children’s Center, and the Blanton Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. We continue to seek organizations to support that share our mission and goals.
Currently, we are raising funds to fulfill our pledge to Sutter Hospital Pediatrics. Over the next four years, we aim to donate $600,000 to build a rooftop Healing Garden for pediatric cancer patients.
Advocating for Those With Ovarian Cancer
Since ovarian cancer is rare in children, people tend to overlook pediatric ovarian cancer patients.
WE WANT TO CHANGE THIS.
Like other cancers, ovarian cancer has no known cure, and testing is limited. If researchers could find a way to detect this horrible disease early, countless patients could have a chance to live, love, and, most of all, laugh.
Your donation goes toward our goal to support those organizations that conduct gynecology and oncology research as well as supporting patients as they go through their treatment. Organizations we have supported in the past include:
- The Sunshine Kids
- Sutter Children’s Center
- Blanton Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
We continue to seek organizations to support that share our mission and goals. If you know of an organization in need of our help and support, please contact us!
Become an Advocate and Join Our Mission Today
We keep Taylor’s dream alive every day by working together to improve the lives of young cancer warriors, and you can, too. Visit our donation page to make a one-time donation or set up recurring donations to support the Taylor Steele Cancer Foundation
In Taylor’s words, “Cancer is no fun! That is why I believe that we have to all work together to find a cure for this horrible disease.”
