Our mission is supporting families fighting cancer.
We provide free, in-home childcare for families in the Dallas, Ft. Worth, and Houston areas who have a parent or sibling undergoing cancer treatment.
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By caring for healthy children in the home, parents can concentrate on their or their child's medical care and recovery, improving outcomes and providing added comfort and stability.
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Our certified nannies help maintain normalcy for children whose family member is undergoing cancer treatment, reducing anxiety and fear during an otherwise stressful time.
Our Goals
A cancer diagnosis can be devastating. Facing it with small children in the home can be overwhelming. A Small Miracle Foundation is here to reduce barriers to beating cancer by providing quality childcare.
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Provide the highest quality in-home childcare services to families affected by cancer.
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Significantly reduce the anxiety of arranging childcare around a loved one's cancer treatments.
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Relieve that added stress and concern regarding childcare costs on top of already expensive medical care.
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Provide periods of rest and recuperation following cancer treatments.
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Give families peace of mind and comfort in knowing that high-quality, compassionate, and reliable childcare is being provided in their child’s own familiar home environment.
Meet Our Executive Director
Bonnie Cook
Bonnie Cook, MAS
Executive Director of A Small Miracle Foundation
Bonnie Cook has spent more than twenty years working as a leader in the nonprofit and social service arena. She believes that nonprofit organizations have an incredible impact on our communities and is honored to serve as the Executive Director at A Small Miracle Foundation. She holds a Masters Degree in Nonprofit Management. Bonnie is married to Wes Allen and they have a daughter, Maggie.
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Bonnie's commitment to supporting families during challenging times reflects her deep dedication to community service and her belief in the importance of accessible, quality childcare for those battling cancer
Contact Info:
Ph: (469) 426-7727
Meet Our Board Members
Gayle Anderson
Board Chair
Gayle is a partner at SeatonHill Partners, which provides strategic CFO services. She has served as CFO at several companies, including Match.com and the Dallas Zoo. Her passion for ASMF comes from seeing the impact of cancer on two different family members diagnosed with cancer when their children were young (pre-school age). They were fortunate to have other close family relatives nearby who could help with the children, but not everyone has those resources available. And for those who don’t have help, the risk of having to miss a treatment, or getting worn down without child care assistance, could lead to losing the battle with this terrible disease. In addition to serving as Board President of ASMF, she is also the Board Treasurer for Villages in Partnership, a nonprofit doing work in Malawi, Africa, and sits on the board of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. Gayle also serves as an elder at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church. She enjoys playing pickleball and tennis in her spare time, and lives in Richardson with her husband Phil.
Jessi Rock
Founder
Jessi Rock is the Founder and a Member at Large of A Small Miracle Foundation, established in 2014 after witnessing two close individuals struggle to secure reliable childcare while battling cancer. Determined to relieve families of this unexpected burden, Jessi launched the nonprofit with a mission to provide compassionate, dependable childcare at moments when it is needed most. Jessi earned her Bachelor of Social Science from Southern Methodist University, where she developed an early passion for service, community care, and advocacy. Her heart for helping others has shaped both her personal and professional life. In addition to her work with the foundation, Jessi is a licensed Texas Realtor, serving families with the same empathy, integrity, and dedication that inspired her nonprofit work. She is committed to strengthening her community, supporting parents in crisis, and ensuring that no family walks through cancer treatment alone. As a Member at Large, Jessi brings vision, lived experience, and a people-first perspective to the board, continually championing the foundation’s mission to deliver hope, relief, and support to families when they need a small miracle most.
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Dr. Lavonne Wesley
Vice Chair
"After witnessing the struggle of a dear friend attempting to battle cancer while caring for her 3-year-old son, I understood the need for childcare help for these families. On the bad days, my friend simply didn’t have the strength or stamina, and desperately needed rest. We all did what we could to help, but there were simply times we couldn’t be available, and nothing like ASMF existed. As my sweet friend navigated her last days, her son’s well-being was always in the forefront of her mind. It was heart wrenching! Therefore, when my daughter proposed starting this organization, I knew it would benefit so many families and I enthusiastically joined up." LaVonne has been a part of the board since the beginning! She resides in Richardson with her husband. She is a proud mom to two adult children and grandparent to 2 granddaughters. She works as a Clinical Pyschologist in a private practice. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, swimming and watching movies.
Susan Pool
Secretary
"I have had several friends who have faced the challenge of dealing with cancer and managing a family at the same time. I know how important it is to have peace of mind that your children are in good hands when you can’t be with them. That peace of mind allows those impacted by cancer to receive the care that they or a loved one needs. I feel privileged to provide my support to ASMF in this endeavor. " Susan has been on the board for 11 years. She is a retired healthcare executive enjoying her time in Virgina Beach. She is married with two children and one granddaughter. Susan enjoys her time reading, word games and spending time on the beach with her family.
Dr. Leslie Russell
Board Member
"As a young mother my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer. With small children I’m not sure how I would have navigated the process without my family and friends. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with the support system that I had and sometimes families have to travel away from family for treatments. There is a need for the support that we can provide at ASMF that allows for our families to survive the traumas of cancer and receive treatments that give hope and healing. " Leslie has been on the board since 2016. She has two children and 3 exceptional grandchildren to keep her busy. She serves as a local elementary school principal and enjoys her free time reading, gardening and traveling.
Ann Halff
Board Member
"I am a cancer survivor who had a newborn daughter during the pandemic and had to navigate childcare during treatment myself. It is an issue I am intimately familiar with." Ann has been a board member since 2022. She is married to a renowned chef and mother to a 3 year old daughter and two sweet dogs. Ann works as a non-profit manager for ULI- focused on research and outreach in equitable and sustainable commercial real estate. In her free time she enjoys gardening, travel and reading.
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Dr. Boo Messahel
Board Member
"Some of the simple ideas have the most powerful impact. I have managed so many families torn between essential lifesaving cancer treatments and childcare. ASMF services have a powerful impact in supporting and maintaining critical family functioning during such difficult times. " Boo has served on the board since 2022. She resides in the Dallas area with her husband and three teenage children. Boo is a Medical Oncologist currently working in business and research. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, skiing and traveling.
Lisa Leach
Board Member
Lisa Leach joined the ASMF Board after serving as Interim Executive Director from August 2020 to February 2022. During her tenure, she led a successful expansion of ASMF’s services into the Houston area, significantly increasing the foundation’s reach and impact across Texas. As a breast cancer survivor, Lisa holds the mission of ASMF especially close to her heart, bringing a personal commitment to supporting others navigating their own cancer journeys. Lisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Science from Tulane University and began her career in Dallas in the telecommunications industry. After six years with Nortel Networks, she transitioned into entrepreneurship by launching a business brokerage firm, where she spent a decade helping clients buy and sell small to mid-sized companies. She has since founded and operated several startups and currently co-owns a party rental company and travel agency. Her dedication to community service is reflected in her longtime involvement with Rotary International, where she has held multiple leadership positions and participated in international service projects. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys traveling, practicing Pilates, and spending time with her loved ones.
Sam Strain
Board Member
Sam Strain is a business development leader and go-to-market strategist who specializes in solving complex challenges with innovative AI solutions. He leads growth initiatives for an AI startup innovation lab in Silicon Valley and New York City, helping companies transform content creation, media automation, and customer engagement. Beyond his professional focus, Sam is a dedicated advocate for pediatric cancer awareness. He has served on the boards of three pediatric cancer nonprofits, driving outreach through events, social media, and strategic fundraising. His efforts have secured personal and enterprise donations, advancing research and supporting families impacted by this critical cause.
Clare Combs
Board Member
Clare Combs joined the board in 2024, driven by a lifelong passion for philanthropy and a deep commitment to healthcare, including years of volunteer work with Children’s Health. Outside of her corporate marketing role, she runs a small floral business and is an active supporter of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. In her free time, she enjoys staying active through running marathons and playing pickleball. Serving on the board is especially meaningful to Clare because it connects her passions and values with a mission that directly impacts the wellbeing of others.