How It All Started
Sometimes big things start small. That’s what happened with Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation. It all began in a small town, with one little boy and one t-shirt.
In August 2012, a little boy named Sammy got very sick. He was only 4 years old when doctors told his parents, Chris and Erin Nahorny, that Sammy had cancer.
This news was scary and sad. But Sammy’s family and friends wanted to help. So three of Erin’s close friends came up with an idea: Let’s make t-shirts to show support for Sammy.
The T-Shirts That Brought People Together
The t-shirts had the words “Sammy’s Superheroes” on them. They were blue and bold, just like Sammy’s brave heart.
The friends asked local schools and sports teams to wear the shirts in September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Something amazing happened. People from all over the area started buying and wearing the shirts. Coaches, players, students, and families wore them proudly. They took photos, shared them online, and told others about Sammy’s story.
Soon, this small idea grew into something big. The t-shirts raised almost $40,000 for childhood cancer research!
The Scary Truth About Childhood Cancer Funding
While the shirts helped raise money, Sammy’s family got more bad news. His cancer was not going away. The treatments were not working.
So they started looking for other doctors and better treatments. That’s when they found out a shocking fact:
Only 4% of government cancer research money goes to childhood cancer.
That means for every $100 spent on cancer research, only $4 goes toward helping kids like Sammy. That’s not fair. Kids need better treatments, too!
Most drug companies don’t help either—because they don’t make enough money from childhood cancer drugs. This is why families and nonprofits have to step in.
From Fundraiser to Foundation
Sammy’s family and their friends didn’t give up. Instead, they made their group official. In early 2013, they started the Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation as a real nonprofit.
Their mission?
👉 Raise awareness and money for all kinds of childhood cancer.
👉 Help scientists find cures.
👉 Make sure no family has to face this alone.
Since then, the Foundation has donated over $1 million to cancer research. They’ve helped doctors at big hospitals like Dana Farber, Duke University, and the University of Chicago. They’ve also started programs to support families, share stories, and bring hope.
Why This Story Still Matters Today
You might think this happened a long time ago. But the truth is: kids are still getting cancer every day, and they still don’t have enough support.
Most people don’t know how little money goes to help them. That’s why Sammy’s Superheroes still shares this story—so more people will care, and more kids will be helped.
A simple t-shirt started all this. Now, thousands of people are part of the movement. That’s the power of community.
You Can Help Be a Superhero Too
You don’t have to be a doctor to make a difference. You can help just by caring, sharing, and getting involved.
🟡 Donate to support research:
https://sammyssuperheroes.com/donate-now/
🟡 Volunteer your time:
https://sammyssuperheroes.com/volunters/
🟡 Become an advocate and help spread the word:
https://sammyssuperheroes.com/become-an-advocate/
🟡 Join our events and bring your friends:
https://sammyssuperheroes.com/upcoming-events-calendar/
Contact Us
📍 Address:
2002 23rd St.
Columbus, NE 68601
📞 Phone:
(402) 563-4673
Let’s keep the fight going. Let’s make sure no child faces cancer alone. Let’s be superheroes—together.
