Our Story

Joey was a nine year old little boy born in Harlingen, Texas and raised in Newnan, Georgia. Joey's courageous life started out with a fight. When he was born he had a bacterial infection in his lungs and had to be airlifted to the children's hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. He spent 3 weeks in NICU fighting for his life. After surviving his very first battle, he was thrust into a lifelong challenge when he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma at just 3 months old. Joey underwent a solid year of chemotherapy and 6 weeks of radiation therapy during that first year of his life. After being off chemotherapy for just 6 months, he relapsed. Another entire year of chemotherapy and a second round of radiation provided Joey with his longest remission to date, about three years.

When he was 5, he once again relapsed. From that point on, Joey had remained on some form of chemotherapy. During these last few years, he continued to undergo multiple procedures including more radiation, surgeries, etc,... In the spring of 2007, Joey suffered serious infections in his head and neck areas which were due to the ultimate build up of radiation side effects. Because of this, most of Joey's teeth had to be removed. He also underwent hyperbaric chamber treatments to help with wound healing. Joey had endured more medical procedures than enyone ever should. And yet, through all of this, he never lost his spirit. He woke up every day with a smile on his face and joy in his heart.

Whenever Joey went to the hospital for his chemo or other procedures, he looked forward to having a little fun while he underwent the not-so-fun treatments. Getting his port accessed, having blood drawn, getting shots, and receiving the chemotherapy were just some of the "not-so-fun" things. But playing card games, coloring, watching movies, painting, and sometimes getting to pick out a toy from the toy closet always cheered him up. After one particularly harsh day of treatment, Joey went to the toy closet, and noticed that they were getting low on toys. Hesitantly, he picked out a toy and went home. Later that evening he asked his Mom, "Would people give a little kid money?"

"What do you mean?" asked Joey's mom. Joey explained his concern about there not being enough toys for the other "kids like me", as he put it. He wanted to go right out and fill that toy closet up. He even pledged his own Christmas and birthday money that he had taken such pride in saving up. Joey knew all too well how important something as simple as a toy can be to a little kid enduring such painful treatments. It was through these concerns that Joey's Toy Box was born.

On July 4, 2008, after a heroic 9-year battle against his disease, Joey Doolittle passed away. He fell asleep for the last time while being held in his mother's arms, his final comfort in such a challenging life. At just 9 years old, Joey Doolittle proved to be an inspirational battle tested veteran, and served as a testament of selflessness.