Shine The Light Contest Winner

Bill and Megan Gleeson faced a situation that is every parent’s nightmare--when they were told their two-year-old son has cancer. Gleeson’s son, Reid died in 2020 at the age of 5 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. The Gleesons are Eastern Iowa REC members from West Burlington.

Reid was an active and fun-loving boy who had a special love for garbage trucks. He would spend time on the 12^th floor of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital overlooking Kinnick Stadium and would watch Hawkeye football games and participate in the iconic Wave tradition. Reid would also point out all of the green and yellow garbage cans around the stadium. He would point out garbage trucks and identify the which companies they belonged to during family car trips. 

During a stay at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for treatment, Reid toured two garbage and recycling centers, as well as the McNeillus Companies facility where garbage trucks are made. During his 5^th birthday party, the City of Davenport organized a garbage truck parade past his house in his honor. 

As a legacy to their son, the Gleesons founded the Rally For Reid Foundation to support other families facing this devasting diagnosis. The Foundation helps provide support for the entire family, allowing families to stay together during the difficult times they are facing.

“We felt a great loss and emptiness after we lost Reid,” Megan said. “After we started the foundation and started to receive messages from the families the foundation worked with, it helped fill that void and gave us a sense of purpose.”

The Foundation supports the Stead Family Children’s Hospital and a variety of research efforts dealing with pediatric brain tumors. The Foundation’s mission is to provide support for families and children affected by pediatric cancer and to raise funds for vital research. 

The Foundation has funded several programs at the Steady Children’s Hospital to assist with travel expenses, ensuring families have access to meals at the hospital so that they can stay with their child and not have leave or skip meals, and Family Care packages with essential items and comforting treats to keep family spirits up during treatment at the hospital. 

To date, the Foundation has helped more than 300 families; raised nearly $250,000; and provided care packages to nearly 200 families of children battling cancer.

At the Hospital, Reid’s Story Corner is located in the Janice and Bruce Ellig Chirdren’s Library where Reid loved to spend time reading books and doing puzzles. It was a welcome distraction for Reid during his 4-5 hour chemo treatments. 

To learn about the Rally For Reid Foundation visit www.rallyforreid.org.