When he was told that was not possible, Carter made a wish at a Disney park fountain that everyone's wishes could come true. His parents founded the nonprofit Cancer Kiss my Cooley in 2011 to help make Carter's wish for others come true.
The pediatric brain cancer nonprofit offers financial support to families with children with terminal cancer by creating special moments and lasting memories for children with cancer in the Houston area as well as funding cancer clinical trials, said Anthony Martin, president of the nonprofit.
The nonprofit started in Illinois where Carter and his family lived and relocated to The Woodlands in October 2023.
The action taken
The organization was named after a frequent phrase Carter used, “Cancer, kiss my cooley,” which originates from an Italian slang term and translates to “Cancer, kiss my behind.”
Before Carter’s death, his family took it upon themselves to make his wish come true. Family and friends hid on the roof of his house and tossed gum balls from the sky, making it rain gum balls and granting Carter’s wish.
After he died in 2010, his parents decided to start a nonprofit organization in his name to grant wishes to children ages 0-21 with a terminal cancer diagnosis, Martin said.
“That's when they decided to create this organization to carry on his mission, helping families take their minds off the financial burden and the stress of seeing their child go through all of that by creating these memories or moments for them,” Martin said.
Through various fundraising events such as galas and 5K races, Cancer Kiss my Cooley funds wishes to children with cancer.
Martin said out of every dollar donated, $0.92 goes toward families with children with cancer.
Ranging from wishes consisting of meeting celebrities to riding in Lamborghinis and helicopters, Cancer Kiss my Cooley operates with five volunteer board members. The organization is in need of more volunteers including a marketing experienced volunteer, Martin said.
Martin said Cancer Kiss my Cooley has granted wishes for about 111 children with terminal cancer, and the organization is serving five children as of Aug. 14 as well as offering ongoing support to families.
The nonprofit also partners with several businesses and organizations including Interfaith of The Woodlands, Waste Connections and Texas Children's Hospital and holds yearly toy drives in local hospitals.
Martin said Cancer Kiss my Cooley donated about 1,200 toys to Texas Children's Hospital last year and over 400 toys to Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.
The nonprofit's next fundraising effort will be held on Oct. 26 and will feature a 5K at Paradigm Brewing at 2130 S. Persimmon Lane in Tomball for runners of any age and experience.
