Toni Pham of Woodlands, TX, recognized for Service to the Rare Cancer Community

Recognizing her exceptional efforts towards positively impacting her community, Toni Pham of Woodlands, TX, has been honored with the prestigious Daily Point of Light Award from Points of Light. Points of Light, a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization, inspires, equips, and mobilizes millions of people to take action and create change.

Toni’s recognition is primarily for her work with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer originating in the bile ducts - the long, slender tubes carrying bile from the liver to the small intestine. The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness, supporting patients and their caregivers, and funding research to improve the understanding and treatment of the disease.

Toni became involved with CCF in 2018 when her sister, Nicole, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. Toni learned everything she could about the disease, advocated for the best treatments, and took care of her sister. Living in Texas, Toni helped other cholangiocarcinoma patients and their families as they traveled to MD Anderson for care. After Nicole’s passing in 2019, Toni stayed involved. She has volunteered to help CCF expand its outreach, specifically on social media, and has provided volunteer support at the organization’s annual conferences in Salt Lake City, Utah. Toni also advocates for better research funding and serves as a mentor with the CholangioConnect program.

As part of the program, Toni mentors other caregivers, as many as 37 in just four years. As a mentor, she offers empathy, support, and guidance to caregivers navigating the difficult cholangiocarcinoma journey. Her experience and profound understanding of others have helped many patient families facing this rare cancer.

“We are so grateful to have Toni as part of the CCF community,” said Stacie Lindsey, CCF Founder and CEO. “Through her efforts, she has demonstrated the power of compassion, kindness, and the ability to make a lasting difference in the lives of others. We are proud of her and her recognition from Points of Light.”

Points of Light, known for their dedication to civic engagement, recognizes that ordinary individuals can create extraordinary change. They believe that everyone has the power to take action and make a real difference, and the Daily Point of Light Award celebrates those who exemplify this belief. Toni Pham's selfless actions and dedication to improving her community embody the values championed by Points of Light.

For more information about Points of Light and their mission to inspire and mobilize individuals for social change, visit their website at pointsoflight.org.

About cholangiocarcinoma: Cholangiocarcinoma, pronounced (koh-LAN-jee-oh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh), is a highly lethal and rare bile duct cancer of the liver with a poor prognosis. With approximately 10,000 cases a year being diagnosed in the United States, cholangiocarcinoma is the world's second most common primary liver cancer. It is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment is only minimally effective, emphasizing the imminent need for novel therapies.

About the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation: Founded in 2006, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation is a global 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for cholangiocarcinoma patients. The Foundation is also part of a global alliance and partners with institutions in the United Kingdom, Thailand, Italy, Denmark, Japan, and other countries. For more information, please visit our website at cholangiocarcinoma.org. You may also contact CCF Director of Communications Karen Templeton at karen.templeton@curecca.org.

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