Conversations with Donna Cochran

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Cochran.

Hi Donna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Ansley Foundation was created to honor the extraordinary life and courage of Ansley, who spent nineteen years fighting neuroblastoma with resilience and grace. What began as a commitment I made the night she passed to share her story, support other families in their fight against childhood cancer and most importantly, help fund a cure for this horrible disease has grown into a mission-driven organization run completely by volunteers.
We began small, selling merchandise, Christmas trees and holding local fundraisers and blood drives to raise awareness. Over time, we’ve grown into hosting community-wide events like our Dine For A Cure in September and are the recipient of an incredibly generous partnership with Hapag-Lloyd’s Annual Golf Tournament.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the hardest challenges we face is simply getting people to look in our direction. Childhood cancer is something no one wants to think about — and I understand that. It’s painful, it’s frightening, and it forces people to imagine a reality they hope they never have to face. But that very discomfort is what makes awareness so critical. Families don’t get to look away. Children don’t get to look away. So we can’t either.
We’re also navigating a world full of worthy causes. There are so many organizations doing incredible work, and donors are pulled in a hundred different directions. Every cause matters, and we never want to diminish that. But it does mean that securing support for childhood cancer — something rare, complex, and emotionally heavy — can be incredibly difficult.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I worked in Corporate for many years before changing into a role at an independent business while Ansley was facing her toughest years with Neuroblastoma. After her passing, my focus changed to raising awareness of the disease that took her life and the lives of so many other innocent children. I felt led to do whatever I could to make a change for other families facing this battle. The Ansley Foundation was born from this promise.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
When I think about what qualities I bring to this work, the first one is lived experience. I didn’t step into childhood cancer advocacy from the outside — I lived it for nineteen years with my daughter. That journey shaped me in ways I never expected. It taught me resilience, compassion, and how to keep moving even when the ground shifts beneath you. That perspective helps me lead with empathy, because I understand what families are carrying, even when they can’t put it into words.
I also lead with honesty and vulnerability. Childhood cancer is heavy. I believe people connect more deeply when you’re willing to share the hope, the heartbreak, the in‑between. That authenticity has helped build trust with families, donors, and partners. Whether I’m talking to a sponsor, or a room full of strangers, I try to make people understand why this mission matters.
I’m also persistent and I don’t give up easily. Losing a child to cancer leaves a lifetime of devastation behind that no family should suffer. Ansley didn’t give up and I won’t either!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theansleyfoundation.org
• Instagram: @ansleyfoundation
• Facebook: @ansleyfoundation
• Other: Tiktok @ansleyfoundation