Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
Children's Cancer Research Fund provided $4,048,525 to pediatric research and patient and family services during our most recent fiscal year.
Researchers have developed therapies to inhibit and treat graft-versus host disease, a common side effect of transplant that can lead to serious complications and death. Doctors are using genome editing to treat fanconi anemia, a genetic disease that usually leads to cancer and bone marrow failure. Researchers have discovered how to remove a portion of DNA responsible for a genetic disorder and replace it with a normal copy. This research is highly transferable to multiple pediatric cancers and other disorders currently being treated by stem cell transplants.
Over the past year, researchers across five different teams have also made significant progress in the understanding of osteosarcoma, thanks to grants from CCRF. They have identified gene mutations in children with the disease and new treatment targets that will bring at least one new drug into phase 1 clinical trial in the next 12-24 months. Researchers also found markers that indicate a patient is at a higher risk for metastasis, which will help doctors develop the right treatment plan for each patient.
In addition to specific projects, we also fund six endowed chairs at the University of Minnesota, providing researchers with a consistent stream of financial support to keep research moving forward. We also fund an emerging scientist program, providing seed money to support early stage research that paves the way for larger, federally funded grants. This addresses the current trend that is making it difficult for younger researchers to receive the federal grants necessary to advance their work.
CCRF also brings awareness to the general public about our cause and mission through pro-bono print and out-of-home advertising with MNI targeted media and media services advertising. Last year, we received over 3.5 million impressions as a result of these advertisements.
In addition, we provide educational information about childhood cancer with our direct mail communication, which generated 1.8 million impressions in the past fiscal year.
In its inaugural year, Great Cycle Challenge USA inspired 12,000 people across the United States to ride 876,488 miles. The riders’ efforts put the importance of childhood cancer research in the national spotlight and helped generate over 1.5 million impressions in online, print and broadcast media coverage.
CCRF also funds the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and BMT Fellowship programs, which help recruit and retain the brightest minds in the field of pediatric cancer research. Last year, seven fellows were part of the program.
Children’s Cancer Research Fund provides support and access to a variety of programs that help childhood cancer families get connected to important resources that can improve their lives in the face of difficult circumstances.
Care Partners is our patient and family services program in which volunteers provide nonmedical support to the families of pediatric hematology/oncology and blood or marrow transplant patients receiving care at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. Last year, 74 individuals supplied 5,000 hours as family, unit and clinic volunteers for patients and families.
Also through our Care Partners dinner program, one Tuesday each month we provide a meal and a short break from the hospital room for patients, family members and caregivers at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. During the past fiscal year, volunteers from local companies served over 1,600 meals catered by Crave Restaurants.
We also sponsored Sibshops, which is a monthly workshop providing siblings of children with special health-care needs, the opportunity to gain peer support and education within a recreational context. Sibshops served 113 kids last year.
Current Goals
The goals of our current fiscal year, July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 are:
1. To achieve total revenue of $9,031,000
2. To grant at least $3,133,000 to pediatric cancer research
3. To provide support of at least $443,000 to Patient and Family Services Program
4. Increase the understanding of our key target audiences while improving consistency of our brand messaging and storytelling capability
5. To diversify our direct marketing revenue streams by investing in digital resources
Community or Constituency Served
Children’s Cancer Research Fund serves families and communities affected by childhood cancer, as well as childhood cancer researchers and pediatric oncology doctors around the world.
Geographic Area Served
Children’s Cancer Research Fund primarily serves the United States, though research findings are disseminated worldwide through Children’s Oncology Group and articles published by researchers in scientific and medical journals.
