Childhood Cancer Optimist Club

How a Vision Became a Statewide (and Now Regional) Mission of Hope

A Vision is Born

In mid-1999, Tom Russell of the Spartanburg Optimist Club had a powerful idea: no family with a child battling cancer should have to worry about how to get to treatment. Inspired by compassion and a desire to serve, Tom envisioned a support system that would provide transportation assistance at no cost to families. With the backing of fellow club members, this vision gave birth to Children’s Security Blanket, a local initiative offering travel assistance so children with cancer could access life-saving care without delay.​

From Local Impact to Statewide Service

By 2016, Children’s Security Blanket had grown significantly and saw an opportunity to extend its services across all of South Carolina. But to make this leap, they needed a partner with shared values and strong community roots. That spring, Tom and the Executive Director of Children’s Security Blanket approached the South Carolina Optimist District with a bold proposal: explore a formal partnership to support this expansion.​

The Birth of the Childhood Cancer Optimist Club

From those early conversations, the Childhood Cancer Optimist Club was formed on October 26, 2016, with 19 charter members. This was no ordinary club—it launched with one focused mission:

To support Children’s Security Blanket as they served children with cancer and their families.

Unlike most Optimist Clubs, which are community-based, this club faced a unique challenge: its members would come from across South Carolina, making in-person meetings difficult.

At the time, virtual meetings were virtually unheard of in Optimist International circles. But this club embraced innovation. Using FreeConferenceCall.com, members connected, planned, and served together, laying the groundwork for what would soon become the norm for clubs everywhere. Today, those calls have evolved into Zoom meetings, but the spirit of creativity and flexibility continues to define the club. 

Growth Through Purpose

By assigning meaningful roles to every member, the club ensured that everyone played an active part in the mission. This structure fostered strong engagement and leadership development—key factors that have fueled growth. Now, nearly a decade later, the Childhood Cancer Optimist Club has grown from 19 to 29 members, with supporters not only in South Carolina, but also in North Carolina and Virginia. 

A Partnership That Delivers Hope

Today, Children’s Security Blanket is known as Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, a name that reflects its expanded reach and impact across multiple states. Through it all, the Childhood Cancer Optimist Club has remained a steadfast partner, helping ensure that no child in the Carolinas faces cancer alone. Together, we’re delivering hope, compassion, and real support to families when they need it most. 

Join Us

Are you ready to be part of a mission that changes lives?

👉 Join the Childhood Cancer Optimist Club : Send us an email by clicking the Join Us button below and help us continue delivering hope, one family at a time.