Meet Amber Bender | Founder & Executive Director of Addi’s Faith Foundation

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Bender and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Less than 4% of funding is allocated towards pediatric cancer research. Pediatric cancers are different from adult cancers and require specific research so we can better understand how to effectively treat children. I think our children deserve more than 4.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started Addi’s Faith Foundation after I lost my daughter, Addison Faith, to brain cancer just a few weeks before her second birthday. I wanted the story to end differently for future kids diagnosed with cancer and with the lack of funding that is allocated to pediatric cancer research, I knew that if I truly wanted things to change, I was going to have to help make that happen. At the time, I didn’t know anything about the non-profit world but my passion made up for lack of experience. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Bit by bit, donor by donor, one fundraising event at a time, Addi’s Faith Foundation grew and has been going strong for 13 years now. We’ve survived a recession, a major hurricane, and even a pandemic and came back stronger each time we were knocked sideways. Not ever wanting to let the pediatric cancer community down, we found innovative ways to survive. I’m proud of many things our organization has been able to accomplish but one that really stands out is the pediatric neuro-oncology laboratory at MD Anderson Cancer Center being named and dedicated to Addi’s Faith Foundation. Some of the research conducted here is using tumor cells from Addi to help find alternate ways of treating recurring brain tumors in children. It’s pretty amazing that progress is being made in pediatric brain tumor research because of work that is done on Addi’s tumor cells, in a lab named in her honor, and funded by “her” organization.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Houston is an amazing city with lots to see and do. I love hanging out at a great brewery on a beautiful day and one of my favorites is Spindletap Brewery. The Heights is one of our favorite areas to eat and love Coltivari and Crisp. Taking in an outdoor concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in the Woodlands is always a great time as is strolling the Kemah Boardwalk.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The success of Addi’s Faith Foundation is thanks to our amazingly passionate and dedicated donors. Without their support, we don’t exist. I’m forever grateful to all our fans who have traveled this journey alongside me as childhood cancer advocate warriors!

Website: www.addisfaith.org

Instagram: @addisfaithfoundation

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-bender-86770b37/

Twitter: @addisfaith

Facebook: @addisfaithfoundation

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O6e1CotFm7-cRKiFDj2Vw

Image Credits
Snapgirl Photography