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When it comes to MD Anderson¡¯s pediatric cancer patients, Tomika Gamble is the agent of fun.

As program director for pediatric support programs, Gamble handles camps, prom and other special events for some of the hospital¡¯s youngest patients and their families.

¡°I like to say I¡¯m responsible for putting smiles on the faces of many,¡± says Gamble.

Part of that is because of the unique aspect of the programming, which serves the entire family. For example, Gamble¡¯s team hosts a three-party prom where patients, their caregivers and siblings can all take part in exciting activities.

¡°I¡¯ve had dads run up to me after events and say, ¡®Y¡¯all are amazing,¡¯¡± she says. ¡°Sometimes the kids are in tears when they get back into their parents¡¯ cars after camp because they enjoyed themselves so much and don¡¯t want to leave.¡±

A son's childhood cancer diagnosis

The old adage, ¡®If you do what you love, it doesn¡¯t feel like work,¡¯ rings true for Gamble.

¡°I probably have the most enjoyable job at MD Anderson,¡± she says. ¡°My goal is to give our pediatric patients a sense of normalcy.¡±

Gamble knows firsthand how much that¡¯s needed.

When her oldest son, Isaiah, was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer at age 3, she was pregnant with her second son.

¡°It was a very difficult time for our family,¡± recalls Gamble, who had previously lost her grandmother to salivary gland cancer and her aunt to pancreatic cancer.

At the time, Gamble was doing public relations for a local school district, and her husband was a coach in another local school district.

¡°We received so much support from our community,¡± she says. ¡°Our community taught us the importance of giving, so once my son¡¯s treatments were done, it then became: ¡®How can we give back?¡¯¡±

Passion and purpose come together

Gamble started a nonprofit to support children facing life-threatening medical conditions, which gave her the opportunity to work on events with MD Anderson. When she applied for and ultimately accepted a role at MD Anderson managing pediatric support programs in 2018, it was a dream come true.  

¡°I had wanted to work at MD Anderson for a long time, but I didn¡¯t know where I fit in,¡± says Gamble. ¡°It was a blessing to watch it come full circle ¨C my son¡¯s cancer diagnosis and my experience in PR and special events helped me take on the responsibilities of my role and really connect with the families we serve.¡±

Gamble¡¯s family also volunteers with MD Anderson¡¯s programs. Isaiah, now 17, is a summer camp counselor at Camp Star Trails where children ages 6 to 14 can attend. They have the opportunity to begin training to be counselors starting at age 16. Isaiah has also participated in MD Anderson¡¯s Boot Walk to End Cancer?.

¡°At MD Anderson, I know I¡¯m doing the work that God placed me on this earth to do,¡± says Gamble. ¡°When you find that passion and that purpose, it¡¯s the most amazing feeling ever.¡±

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