Today’s Oprah show had me in tears (as usual). The program introduced us to Amy and Randy Stoen, parents to three-year old Madelaine who was recently diagnosed alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that had spread to the left side of her face. To try to save her life, doctors started chemotherapy right away but the time and money spent on their daughters treatment has left the couple in a financial struggle and fearful that they may lose their home.

Inspired by Oprah’s new show “Oprah’s Big Give” Simon Cowell from American Idol generously paid off the Stoen’s mortgage. Cowell wrote the family a $162,000 personal check and offered to continue his assistance to help relieve some of the couples stress. While Cowell’s donation can’t cure Madelaine’s disease, it will certainly help ease some of the burden this medical situation has created for the Stoen family.

On “Oprah’s Big Give” people compete to give rather than get. People from across the country are challenged to help total strangers so that they can feel the high of giving. Over eight weeks, we follow their every move, and in the end, the biggest giver wins.

Inspired by Oprah and Simon?
Want to join to fight against cancer? Visit cancer.org