Meet Our Founder

Dr. Roxana Dronca

Some foundations are created by strategy.
The Maya Dronca Foundation was created by love.

Dr. Roxana Dronca is a medical oncologist at Mayo Clinic and the proud mother of Maya Dronca, whose courageous battle with a rare pediatric brain tumor forever changed her family’s life — and inspired a mission far greater than one story.

When Maya was diagnosed with bithalamic astrocytoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood brain cancer, Dr. Dronca experienced cancer from a perspective no physician is ever prepared for: as a mother. What followed was a journey marked by resilience, hope, and an unwavering commitment to seeking answers.

Maya faced her illness with extraordinary strength and grace. Though her diagnosis carried a devastating prognosis, she defied expectations, reminding everyone around her of the power of courage and joy in the face of uncertainty.

After Maya’s passing, Dr. Dronca made a decision that transformed heartbreak into purpose.

She founded the Maya Dronca Foundation to accelerate pediatric cancer research and ensure that families facing similar diagnoses have greater hope, more treatment options, and stronger community support.

As both a physician and a mother, Dr. Dronca brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to the Foundation’s work. She understands the science behind innovative cancer research — and she understands the human urgency behind it.

Her commitment is clear:

• To fund research that moves faster.

• To build a community that stands beside families.

• To honor Maya’s legacy by advancing meaningful, measurable impact.

Under her leadership, the Foundation has raised over $735,000 in its first three years and directed $335,000 toward pediatric cancer research and community initiatives.

But for Dr. Dronca, this work is not about numbers.

It is about ensuring that every child facing cancer has access to better treatments, brighter futures, and a community that refuses to give up.

Maya’s spirit continues to guide the Foundation’s mission — a reminder that even in profound loss, love can become action, and action can create change.