About us

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About us: 

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The ERDie Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that is named after Emma Ryleigh Dixon, known to many as ERDie. The non-profit is something that Emma’s parents, Jeni and Charlie, felt very passionate about getting started after the loss of their daughter on April 1, 2022. Our mission is to raise funds for pediatric bone cancer research and to help families battling this horrible disease. Childhood cancer is rare but childhood bone cancer only makes up about 3% of all pediatric cancers with only about 1,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States. Although there are millions of dollars donated to cancer research annually, only 4% of that money raised goes towards pediatric cancer research with fractions of that amount going towards pediatric bone sarcomas. There has been progress in finding cures for cancer as a whole but The ERDie Project is focused on making a difference when it comes finding new ways to treat and cure bone cancer in children. The same treatment protocols have been place since the 1980s and that is unacceptable. 

 

Our Why: 

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Emma was diagnosed on January 24, 2020 with Osteosarcoma. Before her life was flipped upside down at the age of 12, she was a competitive dancer who enjoyed cooking, shopping, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. One day, Emma began to complain about her knee hurting so her parents took her to the doctor and were told their worst nightmare, that she had cancer. She had many setbacks throughout her 2.5 year battle but she always had a positive attitude and a smile on her face. She never complained through her numerous surgeries, multiple hospital stays, and constant negative health news. Emma was an inspiration to everyone she came in contact with and touched many lives. The ERDie Project is dedicated to honoring her legacy as well as making a difference for others going through similar hardships.