Today we’d like to introduce you to MaryBeth Meyer.
Hi MaryBeth, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2018, when my youngest son was 15 months old, my husband and I noticed his belly looked disproportionately large compared to the rest of his body. What started as questions to our pediatrician quickly turned into an ultrasound, where doctors discovered a large mass in his right kidney and additional masses in his left kidney. We were told, “Your son has cancer.” He was diagnosed with Bilateral Wilms Tumor, a form of kidney cancer.
In a matter of minutes, our lives changed. We became parents trying to navigate chemotherapy treatments at a hospital two hours from home while also caring for our three young children. Medical bills, travel costs, and everyday expenses piled up quickly. Then, in the middle of that summer, our HVAC system completely failed. We were overwhelmed in every way possible.
In a moment of desperation, I asked our social worker what we could do. He connected us with Pinky Swear Foundation. I applied right away, and soon an orange envelope arrived filled with gift cards, encouragement, and hope. A few months later, Pinky Swear even covered a mortgage payment for our family.
As I learned more about Pinky Swear Foundation and its pinky swear promise origin story, I fell in love with the mission. What started as support for my family during one of the hardest seasons of our lives eventually became the organization I am now proud to serve.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. Like many parents who have walked through childhood cancer, there were seasons that felt impossible. Beyond the emotional weight of hearing your child has cancer, there were the constant logistics of treatment, long drives to the hospital, trying to keep life stable for our other children, and figuring out how to balance work, parenting, and caregiving all at once.
Financially, it became overwhelming very quickly. Between medical bills, gas, meals on the road, lost time at work, and everyday household expenses, it felt like there was pressure coming from every direction. When our HVAC system failed during that same summer, it pushed us to a breaking point. Asking for help was incredibly difficult because we had always been independent and never imagined we would need that kind of support.
Even after treatment, there were still struggles. Childhood cancer changes a family forever. There is lingering anxiety, uncertainty, and the emotional toll that comes with watching your child endure so much at such a young age. But through all of it, Pinky Swear Foundation showed us that we were not alone. That experience shaped not only how I view the organization, but also how I approach the work today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Today, I serve as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Pinky Swear Foundation, where I get to combine both my professional experience and personal connection to the mission. My work focuses on storytelling, brand strategy, public relations, digital marketing, campaigns, and helping more people understand the financial impact childhood cancer has on families.
I specialize in mission-driven storytelling that helps people connect emotionally to a cause while also inspiring action. Much of my work centers around building awareness and creating campaigns that feel authentic to the families we serve. Because I’ve personally walked through childhood cancer with my own family, I approach the work from both a professional and lived perspective, which helps me communicate these experiences in a way that is honest and relatable.
What I’m most proud of is helping families feel seen and understood. I know firsthand how isolating and overwhelming a diagnosis can be, and it means a great deal to help tell stories that remind families they are not alone. I’m also incredibly proud to work for an organization that supported my own family during one of the hardest seasons of our lives. Being able to give back in this way feels deeply meaningful.
What sets me apart is that this work is not just a job to me. I have lived the experience our families are facing. That perspective shapes every campaign, story, and conversation I have. I understand both the emotional and financial realities families face, and I believe that authenticity helps build trust and connection in everything we do.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that networking works best when it’s rooted in genuine relationships, not just professional advancement. Some of the most meaningful connections in my career came from simply being curious, asking questions, and staying open to learning from others.
I also think people sometimes put too many limits on what a mentor is supposed to look like. A mentor does not have to be someone in the same career field, life stage, or season of life as you. Some of my favorite “mentors” have been a former boss, faculty members from my kids’ school, neighbors in their 90s, and even my own kids and their friends. Every person brings a different perspective, life experience, and way of seeing the world. If we are willing to listen and learn, there is something valuable we can take away from almost anyone.
Pricing:
- If people would like to contribute to this beautiful mission and help support families facing childhood cancer, they can learn more or donate at: https://pinkyswear.org/keepingthepromise
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pinkyswear.org
- Instagram: @pinkyswearfoundation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinkyswearfoundation
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pinkyswearfoundation
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pinkyswearfoundation
