TAMPA, Fla. — A mother who lost her son to cancer is making it her mission to help other families affected by the disease.

What You Need To Know

  • 1VoiceAcademy is the only school in the U.S. catering to pediatric cancer patients
  • The academy partners with Hillsborough County Schools
  • Educational and emotional support provided through 1Voice Foundation programs
  • Programs include: Bereavement, sibling support, parental support, recreational activities
  • 1Voice funds and operates pediatric cancer research lab

Mary Ann Massolio founded 1Voice Academy. It’s the first school in the United States for children with cancer.

“What is the 1Voice Academy in a nutshell? It’s just because a little boy wanted to go to school,” explained Massolio about the inspiration behind founding the school in honor of her late son.

“My own 9-year-old son, Jay, was diagnosed with 4th-stage non Hodgkins lymphoma,” said Massolio. “My son wanted to go to school desperately. He was quite the social butterfly and was not able to due to his low immune, compromised system.”

While her son wasn’t able to attend school, the mother said she finds joy in providing the space for other families like Chardae Duffy.

Duffy’s 7-year-old son Carmelo is undergoing treatment for a rare cancer.

“It really helped me be able to find some sense of normalcy for him as far as school because immune-wise he can’t be in a regular classroom right now,” Duffy said.

Massolio said the educational partnership with Hillsborough County Schools Hospital Homebound program means kids with cancer can now go to school. Students attend class on campus in Brandon or can participate virtually.

“We have students who come in after radiation. We have students who come in on their way to chemo and we share,” said Massolio, adding that sharing creates a connection.

“The biggest feature of the 1Voice Academy is peer support, is being around other children who are going through the same thing you’re going through,” she expressed.

Family members feel a connection, too.

“All the families bonding over something that can be traumatic but can have a lot of beautiful parts of it as well,” said Duffy.

The families also have access to 25 programs through the 1Voice Foundation, connecting parents, patients and siblings to educational, recreational and emotional support.

The foundation also funds research for a cure.

“It’s almost hard to describe just how special it is because this is so far beyond what I ever imagined,” said Massolio, who hopes more schools like 1Voice Academy open across the country.

“It’s just that layer of support that has really been there for me at the toughest time of my life, truly,” Duffy expressed.