A woman who lost her daughter to leukemia heads up a foundation that helps other families struggling with pediatric cancer.

Deb Leone started the Melonhead Foundation in 1997 after Melanie, then 11, was diagnosed with cancer.

The Tempe, Arizona-based foundation raises money for families’ expenses, including housing, utilities and gas.

Melonhead was a nickname the girl’s friends came up with after Melanie went bald because of chemotherapy.

Melanie died three years after diagnosis.

The organization is proud to say it has distributed almost $500,000 to 549 Arizona families.