OUR FOUNDERS TRUE, UNFILTERED, CANCER STORY.

WHAT LED TO THE FOUNDING OF CTFC?

hOW IT ALL BEGAN…

In August 2021, a failed suicide attempt led to an emergency hospitalization that would change P.D.’s life forever. While being treated, doctors discovered that his white blood cell count had risen to dangerously high levels, eventually reaching over 115,000. He was rushed to CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), where he underwent a bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap, and bone marrow aspiration. At just 16 years old, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a rare form of blood cancer, especially for someone his age.

The months that followed were filled with painful treatment, isolation, and a complete upheaval of the life he once knew. But through it all, one thing became clear to him: if he had been given a second chance, he wanted to use it to help others.

So when it came time to make his one and only wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, P.D. chose not to ask for something for himself. Instead, he used it to start a charity to help other young patients like him who have fallen on hard times. He dedicated the charity to Bella Grace, one of his best and only friends, whom he met on a cancer charity trip and who tragically passed away from cancer the same year as his Make-A-Wish. Her strength, friendship, and light became the inspiration behind everything.

Since P.D’s diagnosis in 2021 he has spent the last four years of his life building Covers to Fight Cancer. From organizing grassroots events and education programs to launching patient aid efforts and advocacy campaigns, he has poured everything into making sure this charity can grow into something that not only helps others now but has the power to do so on a much larger scale for years to come.


The following is an unmonetized passion project our founder created independently as part of his advocacy work to raise awareness about a bill that would not only endanger him but many other patients like him. It was his first time ever speaking publicly about his story and experience. - The reason he did is because he wanted to prove that no matter what you go through in life, nothing should stop you from helping others if you have the ability to. Even if you end up developing an extremely rare form of cancer from a failed suicide attempt, lose everything, and have your life turned upside down before you’ve even learned how to drive - your voice, your compassion, and your impact can still matter.

ANYONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Many people have asked our founder a common question: if you had just one Make-A-Wish, why didn’t you use it on yourself? His answer has always been simple. It is simply the right thing to do to help others, even if it may not benefit you.

P.D. didn’t start this work because he thought he was special. In fact, part of his motivation came from believing the opposite. He is just a person who has been through something hard and decided to try to make a difference with the time and energy he had. He believes that anyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the ability to help someone else. You don’t have to be exceptional to care. You just have to choose to act.

Using his wish to start this charity wasn’t about being noble. It was about doing what felt right, turning pain into purpose, and trying to make the road easier for the next person who walks it. If anything, he hopes this story shows that making a difference doesn’t require perfection or a platform, just a bit of compassion and the willingness to try. Anyone has the power to make a difference in their community and help their fellow neighbor, help the sick, and help those who may not be as fortunate as you. Not because it benefits you but simply because it is the right thing to do. At the end of the day, if a 16-year-old with cancer can spend four years of his life dedicating every waking moment to helping other people without getting anything in return, what is stopping anyone else?

A person wearing a blue suit and mask standing on a stage in an empty theater or auditorium with black curtains and stage lighting.
Young man in hospital bed taking a selfie with medical equipment and a white wall in the background.

OUR HISTORY

THE FULL TIMELINE

  • Person lying on a hospital bed with a hospital wristband on their wrist, showing medical leads attached to their chest and limbs, in a hospital room.

    AUGUST 2021 - FAILED SUICIDE ATTEMPT THAT LED TO OUR FOUNDER'S CANCER DIAGNOSIS

    In August 2021, our founder survived a suicide attempt that resulted in hospitalization. While he was in the hospital, doctors discovered that his white blood cell count was over 14,000, prompting them to keep him for further monitoring.

  • View of modern office buildings through a large window with clear sky in the background.

    SEPTEMBER 2021 - RETURNED TO CHOP AFTER WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT RISES AGAIN

    After being discharged from the hospital, P.D. had to return when his white blood cell count rose again and continued to fluctuate.

  • Young man lying in a hospital bed with a hospital gown, looking into the camera with a neutral expression.

    NOVEMBER 2021 - BONE MARROW BIOPSY, SPINAL TAP, AND BONE MARROW ASPIRATION AFTER WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT SURPASSES 115,000

    After being discharged from the hospital, P.D. had his blood drawn weekly by his primary care doctor and sent to CHOP to monitor his white blood cell count. Eventually, his parents received a call from CHOP informing them that his most recent outpatient test from the previous week showed a white blood cell count of 115,000. He was rushed to the hospital, where he received a bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap, and bone marrow aspiration. The test results shocked the doctors at CHOP, as P.D. was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia at just 16 - an extremely rare form of blood cancer for someone of his age and background.

  • A clear plastic container with yellow pills inside, viewed from below.

    NOVEMBER 2021 - START OF CANCER TREATMENT

    After P.D.'s cancer diagnosis, he began treatment for his leukemia with his first oral chemotherapy medication, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). This medication works by blocking the activity of the BCR-ABL protein, which is produced by the cancerous white blood cells and causes them to grow uncontrollably. By inhibiting this protein, the TKI helps stop the growth of leukemia cells and keeps the disease under control.

  • A woman in graduation attire standing at a podium with a digital screen behind her displaying a presentation slide. The slide features a woman in a suit wearing a mask and text about Philip Wylie and his business and nonprofit ventures associated with Montgomery County Community College.

    January 2022 - P.D. Accepted into an Accelerated Scholarship Program at a Local College to Learn the Skills Needed to Run and Grow His Charity While Still Only 16

    After being constantly in and out of the hospital, attending doctor’s appointments, and starting cancer treatment, P.D. fell extremely behind in school. The amount of catching up felt like an uphill battle. Through a city councilman he was working with, since he had already begun exploring how to start a charity to help other patients like him even before his Make-A-Wish experience, he learned about an accelerated scholarship program at a local community college designed for students who fall behind in school due to circumstances beyond their control.

    This program was by no means easy. Students were required to take regular college-level classes that counted toward both high school and college credits. P.D. applied and was accepted. The program not only equipped him with the tools to start running his charity but also allowed him to graduate early from high school so he could focus on this work.

    P.D. never took this opportunity for granted. He recognized how fortunate he was to have access to it through his connections. As one of the first cancer patients to enter the program, he eventually began working directly with the program to make it more accessible to leukemia patients like him, helping others who fall behind in school due to treatment or hospitalizations get the same chance.

  • Graduates in caps and gowns at a graduation ceremony, one shaking hands with a person, holding a diploma.

    JANUARY 2022 - AFTER FOUR SEMESTERS OF ATTENDING IN-PERSON COLLEGE-LEVEL CLASSES WHILE UNDERGOING CANCER TREATMENT, P.D. GRADUATES EARLY FROM BOTH HIGH SCHOOL AND THE COLLEGE PROGRAM AT 17 TO PURSUE HIS NONPROFIT WORK

    After four semesters of attending in-person college classes while also undergoing the most intense part of his cancer treatment, P.D. graduated from both the college program and high school early at the age of 17. He then fully dedicated himself to starting his nonprofit to help other patients.

  • Make-A-Wish Letter

    OCTOBER 2022 - P.D. RECEIVES A LETTER FROM THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION CONFIRMING HIS ACCEPTANCE FOR A MAKE-A-WISH

    At 17, P.D. was informed by his CHOP social worker that he was eligible for a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He applied and later received a letter from the foundation confirming that his wish had been approved.

  • Five children standing in front of a large, colorful, illuminated robot display, smiling and posing for the photo.

    JULY 2023 - P.D. GOES ON THE SUNSHINE KIDS FOUNDATION TRIP THAT INSPIRES THE IDEA FOR COVERS TO FIGHT CANCER AND INTRODUCES HIM TO HIS BEST FRIEND BELLA GRACE WHO MOTIVATES HIM TO START IT ALL

    In July 2023, P.D. went on a charity trip through the Sunshine Kids Foundation. On this trip, he met one of the strongest and most extraordinary people he had ever known, Bella Grace.

    After meeting on this trip, they quickly became close friends, with Bella becoming one of P.D.’s best and only friends. On the final day of the trip, during a karaoke night, P.D. was nervous to perform, but Bella encouraged him to go on stage and sing. It was his first time singing in public.

    For over six years, Bella faced central nervous system cancer with incredible bravery and strength. She endured countless surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy, meeting each challenge with courage and grace. In 2024, at just 18 years old, Bella made the difficult decision to sign her own DNR.

    After learning about Bella’s passing from her mother, P.D. created a memorial tribute video for Bella with the help of other friends with cancer he had met on the trip. The video aimed to tell Bella’s story, showing how brave and strong she was, and to help fundraise for her family’s GoFundMe campaign. In the video, P.D. performed a song cover dedicated to Bella as a tribute, accompanied by a music video featuring photos of Bella and P.D.’s Sunshine Kids friend group that her family had never seen. This gave her family something positive to remember her by.

    This video inspired the concept and name of Covers to Fight Cancer. P.D. chose to carry on the kindness and support Bella gave him by dedicating the charity in her honor and using music to help other patients.

  • A person in a dark blue suit giving a thumbs up, standing next to a wall display that says 'Wishes Granted This Fiscal Year 176' with a silver bell and a framed mission and values statement.

    APRIL 2024 - P.D. FINALLY GETS HIS MAKE-A-WISH GRANTED AND DECIDES TO USE HIS ONE AND ONLY MAKE-A-WISH TO START THIS CHARITY TO HELP OTHER PATIENTS LIKE HIM

    After developing the concept for Covers to Fight Cancer, P.D. was asked by the Make-A-Wish Foundation what he wanted his one and only wish to be. He chose to use that wish to start this charity, using music to fundraise and improve the lives of other patients.

  • A man wearing sunglasses, a suit, and a tie in a recording studio, standing in front of a microphone with a pop filter.

    JULY 2024 - P.D. STARTS LEARNING TO SING TO PERFORM AT FUNDRAISING CONCERTS IN SUPPORT OF OTHER LEUKEMIA PATIENTS

    Since receiving his Make-A-Wish, P.D. has spent over a year learning to sing in preparation for our charity’s fundraising concerts. These events will raise money to help cover medical bills and education expenses for other leukemia patients.

  • A woman in a business suit and face mask standing in an empty theater or auditorium with rows of pink and beige chairs, black curtains, and stage lighting equipment overhead.

    JANUARY 2025 - P.D. STARTS PARTNERING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO BUILD THE CHARITY AND ITS FUNDRAISING PROGRAMS

    P.D. began organizing locally to build his charity and bring it closer to realizing his vision of helping other leukemia patients through his C.A.R.E. Program concept. He started by partnering with a local nonprofit, Theatre Horizon, to host Covers to Fight Cancer’s larger fundraising concerts at their venue.

  • Group of six people standing together on a stage, participating in a rally to support Medicaid, with signs and posters advocating for healthcare services and raising awareness.

    JUNE 2025 - P.D. HOLDS HIS FIRST EVENT, ORGANIZING A LOCAL MEDICAID ADVOCACY EVENT TO RAISE AWARENESS

    P.D. held his first event he independently organized in his community in just nine days, called Care Over Cuts. It was a Medicaid advocacy event held in Montgomery County to raise awareness about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its devastating impact on patients, the broader community, and his own fight for survival.

    The event brought together patients, caregivers, and advocates to share their stories and rally for life-saving care. In partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, volunteers and patient speakers joined forces to highlight how this bill threatens the health and dignity of millions. Together, they stood in solidarity to demand care over cuts and to remind every patient that they are not alone in this fight.

  • A man in sunglasses speaking into a microphone at a podium, with dark curtains behind him and a wooden ceiling above.

    JULY 2025 - THE ADVOCACY WORK CONTINUES

    P.D. continues his advocacy work and becomes an official Leukemia & Lymphoma Society advocate. This role allows him to support patients on a larger scale and apply that experience to his work at Covers to Fight Cancer, helping him find new ways to serve and support patients in need.

  • Five people standing together indoors, smiling, with a large television behind them. The group includes three men and two women of diverse ages and styles, dressed casually and in formal attire.

    JULY 2025 - P.D. CONTINUES ORGANIZING WITH LOCAL EDUCATION LEADERS TO BUILD COVERS TO FIGHT CANCER’S EDUCATION PROGRAM

    P.D. expands his education advocacy efforts by working with local education leaders to develop Covers to Fight Cancer’s education program. This initiative is designed to support leukemia patients who fall behind in school due to hospitalizations or treatment.

  • A person wearing a red cap and a white t-shirt playing an electric guitar on stage at night.

    AUGUST 2025 - P.D. HELPS ORGANIZE COVERS TO FIGHT CANCER’S FIRST FUNDRAISING CONCERT: MELLOW MANIA FOR MEDICINE VOL. 1

    P.D. helped organize Covers to Fight Cancer’s first fundraising concert, Mellow Mania for Medicine Vol. 1, by partnering with indie jazz fusion and funk bands based in Utah. Held at The Yellow House, the event featured live performances by Mellow Mania, a fusion band known for blending smooth jazz, funk, and city pop influences.

    All donations from the event supported leukemia patients by funding advocacy efforts and providing financial assistance for medical bills and educational expenses.

tRAINING FOR HOPE:

From a Wish, to a Voice for a Cause.

Since receiving his Make-A-Wish, our founder has spent over a year learning to sing in preparation for our charity’s fundraising concerts, which will raise money to help cover the medical bills and education expenses of other leukemia patients. Follow his journey below.