Warrior Wagons was founded in memory of Drew Becker by his family. The organization became officially incorporated under the state of Minnesota on March 3rd, 2017. The IRS granted 501(c)3 status approval shortly after, and the first Warrior Wagon was given in April of 2017 at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
His family found the gift of a collapsible wagon so useful during Drew’s treatment that they wanted to pay this gift forward to new pediatric cancer families. The Warrior Wagon comes filled with useful and practical items such as full-sized towels; high quality facial tissues and baby wipes; real silverware, plates, bowls, and cups; gift cards for gas and restaurants; along with fun things for the child like books, movies and toys.
We serve children who are 7 years and under, who were diagnosed with some form of pediatric cancer in the last 60 days. Warriors must be receiving their primary care at one of our partnered hospitals.
The program was so popular at Mayo Clinic, that families who transferred their care elsewhere volunteered to help bring children at their new hospital a Warrior Wagon. In January of 2019, Warrior Wagons partnered with Children’s Hospital of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. In the summer of 2019, Warrior Wagons partnered with our third hospital in Downtown Chicago—the Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital. Minnesota Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was added in December of 2022.
Today, Warrior Wagons are wheeled around all four of these hospitals in great numbers. Families share how helpful the wagons are, and also that the comradery between fellow Warrior Wagon families is very special and strong.