Setting the
gold standard
The care our heroes receive should be nothing less than the best
Building a brighter future
“Your child is worth more than gold. And so are you. That’s why we’re on a mission to revolutionize the care available to heroes and their families.
On July 23, 2014, my world changed forever when my 7-month-old son, Sawyer, was diagnosed with infantile acute lymphoblastic leukemia. That was the day I became a med student, cancer researcher, full-time nurse, and patient advocate. There are no words for that moment.
As we began this terrifying and unthinkable journey, I felt so alone. The more I searched, the more I discovered a lack of support in East Texas, and I knew I had to do something.
I reached out to two other moms, and we started with a 5K to increase local awareness of childhood cancer. Over the last 10 years, by the grace of God, that 5K has grown into the Gold Network of East Texas – a community committed to supporting local families facing childhood cancer.”
– Heather Rucker, co-founder
About childhood cancer
The Color
Gold
A gold ribbon is the international symbol for childhood cancer awareness. Why? Because gold represents something of great value, and nothing is more precious than our kids.
The Calendar
September
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Want to be a part of turning East Texas gold this September? Join us at the East Texas Gold Run or Go Gold East Texas!
The Care
Did you know?
- In Texas alone, more than 1,800 children were diagnosed with cancer in 2023.
- Only 4% of the national cancer research budget is allocated to researching all types of childhood cancer.
- The nearest pediatric cancer treatment hospitals are in DFW, Houston, and Austin, meaning our heroes and their caregivers have to leave their home and loved ones for extended periods of time during treatment.
And we’re not okay with that.
Fighting back
It may be a hard battle, but we’re fighting back together! We’ve had the honor of:
Coming alongside 120 families in 26 East Texas cities
Hosting Connect, the only caregiver support group in East Texas
Donating over $100,000 to pediatric cancer research
Serving families for 10 years
Why? … all in hopes that no one will have to walk this road alone.
Team Gold
Meet GNET’s board of directors. They serve on a 100% volunteer basis and are worth their weight in gold.
Gina Sue Bradley, Josh Rucker, Heather Rucker, Shauna Curtis, Paula Kimmey, and Phillip McLeod