About the Foundation.
At The Mighty Quinn Roma Foundation (TMQRF), we understand that when a child is battling cancer, every moment matters. Founded in 2015, our mission is to stand beside families as they navigate the unimaginable challenges of a pediatric cancer diagnosis. We focus on helping with the small stuff—so parents can focus on what truly matters: their child. From clearing snowy driveways after long hospital stays to providing meals and essential support, we step in where families need us most. No parent should have to choose between caring for their sick child and managing daily responsibilities, and we are here to ensure they never have to.
Why We Started.
Our journey began when our daughter, Quinn, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2012 and again in 2013. After a long day of chemotherapy, we returned home exhausted—only to find our driveway buried in snow. The overwhelming reality of managing both our daughter's treatment and everyday responsibilities became painfully clear. We knew other families faced the same struggles, and we wanted to make a difference. That's why we created The Mighty Quinn Roma Foundation—to lighten the load for families fighting childhood cancer by providing practical, hands-on support.
Quinn's Fight
At just two years old, Quinn’s life took an unexpected turn. What started as a normal day at daycare ended in a nightmare when we received a phone call—she was unresponsive and being rushed to Connecticut Children's Medical Center. In that moment, everything changed.
Doctors discovered a brain tumor—a diagnosis of Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma (JPA)—and Quinn was taken into emergency brain surgery. We thought the worst was behind us, but just eight months later, the tumor returned. This time, the surgeons couldn’t remove all of it, and Quinn’s fight was far from over. She began an 18-month journey through chemotherapy, a treatment plan that stretched on even longer due to low blood counts and frequent hospitalizations.
The side effects of treatment were relentless. Her tiny body struggled to recover between rounds of chemo, and we faced weeks of delays when her counts were too low to proceed. Blood transfusions became routine, and we called them “go juice” because of the temporary burst of energy they gave her. Hospital stays became our new normal, and keeping a toddler entertained while being hooked up to IVs was a challenge we tackled daily.
Through it all, Quinn remained resilient. We found ways to turn fear into play, distracting her with anything that could bring a moment of joy. The medical team at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center became our second family, and we leaned heavily on the support of other pediatric cancer families.
Quinn endured more in her early years than most will in a lifetime. Her fight with JPA was brutal, exhausting, and unfair. But through every setback, every transfusion, and every painful procedure, she proved time and time again that she was mighty.
We wanted to bring comfort to families in their darkest moments. We saw the gaps in support—the everyday struggles that no one was addressing. So, we created a foundation that steps in, lightens the load, and ensures no family fights alone.
Quinn Today
Today, Quinn is 15 years old, and she is nothing short of amazing. While her battle with Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma is behind her, she still goes in for annual brain scans to ensure everything remains stable. Thankfully, her long-term side effects have been minimal, and thanks to the incredible survivorship program at Connecticut Children's, she continues to receive the best care possible.
Despite everything she has been through, Quinn doesn’t dwell on the past—because she (thankfully) doesn’t remember much of it. She was so little when she underwent surgeries and chemotherapy that the memories have faded. But as parents, we remember every scan, every transfusion, every long night in the hospital. And while we carry those memories for her, we also carry immense pride in the strong, compassionate, and driven young woman she has become.
Quinn’s heart is as big as her dreams. She loves kids and wants to become a pediatric oncology nurse—a full-circle moment that speaks to her empathy and resilience. Or maybe a professional volleyball player. Either way, she’s determined to make an impact.
Cancer may have been part of Quinn’s past, but the pediatric cancer community remains part of her present and future. As a family, we stay deeply involved, attending camps like Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and Camp Rising Sun, where Quinn has made lifelong friendships. These camps provide a rare space where kids who have battled cancer can just be themselves—laughing, sharing, and forming bonds. But with that closeness also comes loss, and we have experienced the heartbreak of saying goodbye to friends who lost their fight.
That’s why we continue to advocate, support, and give back. We take part in events like PJ Day for the Kids, support Connecticut Children's, and even work with organizations like Circle of Care, where our team helps redo bedrooms for kids battling cancer—because every child deserves a space that brings them comfort. This year, Quinn and I will head to Washington, D.C., to fight for increased funding for brain tumor research, making sure the voices of children like her are heard.
Now a high school freshman, Quinn is thriving. She has thrown herself into volleyball, a sport she absolutely loves, and she’s already thinking about colleges for nursing.
We are so incredibly proud of this kid—she is, and always will be, The Mighty Quinn.
