We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tyler Walker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tyler below.
Tyler, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Bridges of Gold came to life after our daughter Lucy was diagnosed with leukemia. Within days of Lucy’s diagnosis, our family was in search of a place to live for the next 3o days. At the time of Lucy’s diagnosis, the local Ronald McDonald house was full and our home was well over the hour threshold which forced us to stay in Portland. With a no vacancy sign and little knowledge of what places would be available for us to live, I remember the social worker bringing in a packet of information that shared hotels in the surrounding area. Of course not being from Portland, and having no knowledge of any of the places, we quickly started asking as many questions as we could.
Through this initial experience, I realized the list was just a list. The social worker’s schedule was very busy and they did not have enough time to know the ins and out of every hotel, but honestly I wish they did. I quickly started thinking there had to be a better way. After a few bad encounters and some glitter dust, our prayers were finally answered. We had a place to live, but it wasn’t any of the hotels on the list.
After a few months away, we finally returned home two days before Christmas. Coming home was the greatest feeling in the world. Over the next few weeks, we had received a few phone calls from a few local charities who wanted to welcome our family into their organization.
We quickly learned about organizations that were not given to us at the hospital level and we quickly learned that not many organizations knew about each other. We also learned that many families still didn’t know there were charities and resources available to help them.
As our cancer journey continued, I took lots of notes with hopes to one day be able to start Bridges of Gold. As we moved closer and closer to Lucy’s end of treatment, I felt the final push that helped me turn this idea into a real business.
Bridges of Gold is on a mission to change the way we look at pediatric cancer resources. We believe that pediatric cancer families needed a more efficient way to find and access resources that were created to help them. We also believed that pediatric cancer charities needed a platform to be seen and heard.
Unfortunately, pediatric cancer doesn’t have the support other cancers and causes have. Many grassroots charities have an average ‘life expectancy’ of 5 years and many operate solely with their volunteer base and local connections.
Bridges of Gold is helping “BRIDGE THE GAP” and offering opportunities for businesses to bring philanthropy to their brand and give outside individuals the chance to learn about childhood cancer on a national level but also gives insight into what is happening in their local communities and state. Our hope is that businesses and individuals would like to join us in the fight against childhood cancer.
As I walked through this initial process, I figured out quickly there wasn’t anything like Bridges of Gold. There were a few databases but from my research the lists were not complete, only featured larger organizations and many people did not know they even existed.
When our family walked through this cancer journey, we can tell you it took a village. We had a lot of support and love and we knew not every cancer family walking this journey has that kind of support. We wanted Bridges of Gold to be a place where families could come, ask questions, feel safe and feel empowered to find and access resources available to them.
As we continue to grow Bridges of Gold, we have been able to meet so many incredible people and charities along the way. We also recognized the competitive nature that comes along with non-profits. We also hoped we could work to change the culture and bring a new fresh approach when it comes to working together to build each other up but also make sure we are fulfilling the universal goal of serving pediatric cancer families.
The one thing that makes Bridges of Gold special is the approach that every one deserves a space in this community. With pediatric cancer rising, we have more need that every before. We know that if there was only 1 organization serving the pediatric cancer group it would be impossible to fulfill all the needs that rise every single day.
We want to let everyone know, when you come to Bridges of Gold we are a team. We believe we are here to serve others and make sure connection happens.
Tyler, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Tyler Walker debuted her new title of “mom” in November 2011. Since that glorious day, she has best been known as Grace and Lucy’s mom. In 34 short years, Tyler has been described by many titles; wife, mom, hall of famer, business owner, friend, and now Cancer Mom.
For the past four years, Tyler has developed her “cancer mom” game. In November 2017 at the age of three, Tyler’s youngest daughter Lucy was diagnosed with Leukemia. Navigating childhood cancer was a hard battle, but through strong faith, friends, family and our “cancer” family support, this experience opened the doors to a new calling in life. Tyler is the owner of Bridges of Gold and creator and host of the Bridges of Gold “The Podcast.” In Tyler’s spare time she can be seen tearing up the roads on her skates and drinking some tea. Ty is passionate about being a voice for childhood cancer and hopes to bring some light to a challenging time for the lives of families who are navigating childhood cancer.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Childhood cancer changes your life forever. Just imagine waking up today and tomorrow nothing would be the same. Finding a new normal with cancer gives you purpose and resets one to think about what is truly important in this life.
To be honest in my 30 years of life prior to Lucy’s diagnosis I didn’t really know much about childhood cancer. It’s easy to think if it’s not effecting you personally or someone you know it’s easy to think it will never happen to your child.
Childhood cancer is one of those life experiences no one wishes to be a part of but I can honestly tell you I am grateful for so many things.
Through my whole journey, I always had HOPE. I was determined to find good in each day even when days were hard. Walking this cancer journey was the most difficult walk we had ever taken but I knew I wasn’t alone. Through each day our faith carried us through and we were determined to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
One of the most beautiful things I have seen on this journey is what others continue to do for other even after loss. Each journey is incredible unique but there is always a focus to help the ones after us and continue to share the legacies of these warriors who are gone too soon.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Growing a community takes time and effort and doesn’t happen over night. Each member of the community needs to feel a connection with your authentic self. To be honest I have this love/hate relationship with social media. But childhood cancer is definitely a niche that doesn’t get the credit it deserves.
It took me a few years to finally reach 1,000 followers. But I have never given up. Finding your people takes time and learning to serve your audience in the way they want takes time. Showing up consistently and being willing to pivot are two things I have learned.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bridgesofgold.com
- Instagram: @bridgesofgold
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bridges-of-Gold-106221377737857
Image Credits
Lucy Walker, Kellen Walker, Grace Walker