Our 7 year old son Ethan was diagnosed with Stage IV Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) on August 6th, 2009. He had no symptoms of being sick until we started to see a little lump on his chest near his left breast (it was his tumor bulging out). He complained of some pain so his doctor ordered an ultra sound. During his ultra sound we could tell something was wrong from the look on the technician’s face. That evening we were called by our doctor with the news that Ethan had a large mass the size of a softball in his chest. On August 1st, 2009 we were admitted to Doernbechers Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon. After biopsies, several tests and agonizing days of waiting Ethan was diagnosed with Stage IV Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer affecting the soft tissues and muscles.

In honor of of our son Ethan, and for all children fighting cancer, we have started a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation solely supported by individuals and businesses. Our mission at the Ethan Jostad Foundation is to provide smiles to the faces of children battling cancer. We provide children fighting cancer (as well as their siblings) toy packages, offer financial assistance to families in need who have children fighting. We will raise awareness and demand changes in our approach to fighting childhood cancer and help fund cutting edge research to help find a CURE.

To fight childhood cancer we need an army of supporters who will stand up for our kids. Ethan's Army is strong and grows every day and now you can be a part of it. You can help be the change for so many children fighting childhood cancer. You can help us do that in so many different ways:

Donations - we accept donations through PayPal and via check. Your donations are tax-deductible and will be used to help purchase toys, provide financial assistance to families whose children are fighting cancer, and help fund cures.

Toy Donations - You can drop off toys to one of our local drop off location, or if you are not from our area, you can also mail toys or gift cards to our address.

Participate - Join Ethan’s Army at one of our events or on our Facebook page. Contact us to volunteer for one of our events.