Team JOEY

The mission of Team JOEY is to further the battle against pediatric cancer through research and to support young cancer patients with small-but-mighty LEGO bricks, in-hospital parties and more!

On November 22, 2010, 7-year-old Joey Keller (pictured above) was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a highly malignant primary brain tumor that originates in the cerebellum. Joey lost his battle two years later. Joey fought with the spirit and attitude that amazed and inspired family, friends and even caregivers. Those who have been affected in one way or another by Joey banded together to form what is now the Heroes Foundation’s Team JOEY program.

Team JOEY: Hope and Smiles
for Young Cancer Patients

The Team JOEY program is one of the many ways the Heroes Foundation serves the Indiana cancer community. Named in memory of a young cancer fighter named Joey Keller, Team JOEY’s mission is to fight pediatric cancer by funding pediatric cancer research, and to support young cancer patients and their families.

For Children Like Piper

Then cancer fighter Piper Lyon (now a cancer survivor!) and her mother Kim Lyon, along with Kelly Canada representing the Heroes Foundation’s Team JOEY program, together show you one way the Heroes Foundation carries out this mission of support.

Team JOEY Corporate LEGO Program

The Heroes Foundation invites corporations, organizations and individuals interested in participating in a LEGO drive to help brighten the days of children battling cancer. Your business can serve as a collection spot for LEGOs and/or take up monetary donations to go toward the purchase of LEGOs. For more information in participating, please contact Team JOEY Program Manager Kelly Canada at kcanada@heroesfoundation.org or 317.983.6580 x4006.

Team JOEY in 2021

$20K Provided to Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher Steve Angus, Ph.D.  His research seeks to discover targeted therapies for pediatric sarcomas by exploiting a specific vulnerability of cancer that distinguishes it from normal tissue

400+ LEGO sets delivered in 2021

200+ Toiletry sets provided to families affected by cancer who faced unexpected stays in Central Indiana hospitals

Donated LEGO sets for the Halloween4Heroes program, which provides Halloween goodies to patients at Riley Hospital for Children

Dr. Jennifer Belsky, DO, MS

In 2022, Team JOEY committed $30,000 to Dr. Jennifer Belsky, a pediatric oncology clinical researcher who serves as the Director of Pediatric Lymphoma at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. With the research gift, Belsky will be able to advance her research on decreasing the detrimental side effects children and teens experience while undergoing cancer therapy.

Indiana's Youngest Cancer Patients Need You

We can’t make a difference without generous donors. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to Team JOEY.

Donate to the Heroes Foundation Today.