According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, each year, 13,000 kids under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer. Of those diagnosed, about 25% will not survive. These are heartbreaking statistics and all the more reason to give pediatric cancer our full attention. Plus, with September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we thought such a timely and important topic in children’s health necessitated a review of local advocacy organizations and research groups. So whether you know a little one with cancer, or are just looking to do some good this month, read on for how you can contribute to these worthy causes.
The Max Cure Foundation
In 2007, when three-year-old Max Plotkin was diagnosed with cancer, his family knew they had to take action. Not just to heal their son, but to address the needs of all children battling the disease. Today, the Max Cure Foundation works tirelessly to give low-income families the emotional and financial aid that they need to help their children afflicted with cancer. With the goal of developing less toxic cancer treatments for youth, MCF funds an immune cell therapy lab at Memorial Sloan-Kettering.
And this Sunday, September 10, MCF is joining forces with the All 4 Kids Foundation hosting the Trent Tucker Celebrity Gala at STK Midtown in NYC. Enjoy dinner, open bar, silent and live auctions, live music, and mingling. To purchase tickets, click here.
To buy tickets or to donate, visit maxcure.org
Cookies For Kids’ Cancer
After her two-year-old son, Liam, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, Gretchen Witt wanted to make a real difference in the world of pediatric cancer. She vowed to bake 96,000 cookies and went on to sell them all in three weeks (with the help of volunteers), generating over $400,000 for pediatric cancer research. What began as one mother’s crusade to “be a good cookie” has turned into a wonderful fundraising organization. Cookies For Kids’ Cancer hosts bake sales to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research. Supporters of the charity have hosted thousands of such events in communities throughout the nation, raising money that is put towards new and improved therapies for pediatric cancer.
To host an event or to buy cookies, visit cookiesforkidscancer.org
Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund
Helping children with cancer, as well as their families, Hope & Heroes funds the Herbert Irving Child & Adolescent Oncology Center at Columbia University Medical Center, at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. It all started more than 15 years ago, when a teen cancer patient wrote to Tino Martinez—first baseman at the time for the Yankees. A beautiful friendship bloomed and Martinez pledged to donate to help fight pediatric cancer for every RBI he achieved. Today, the Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund fuels one of the largest pediatric oncology programs in the U.S.
And on Thursday, October 18, the Hope & Heroes Annual Dinner will take place at Espace in Midtown West. Cocktails and a silent auction will round out the night of giving.
To learn more and to buy tickets for the Annual Dinner, visit hopeandheroes.org
Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at NYU Medical Center
In its twelfth year, the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center maintains a truly unique approach to managing pediatric cancer. One of the country’s leading pediatric outpatient facilities, the Hassenfeld Center employs interdisciplinary and family-centered methods while uniting advanced medical treatments with emotional support for patients and their families.
To learn more and donate to the center, visit hassenfeld.med.nyu.edu
The Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation
Since 1952, CCBF has been recognized for excellence in treating children with chronic, life-threatening blood disorders. As the largest and longest running charitable organization in the country of its kind, CCBF is dedicated to the comprehensive clinical care of children living with cancer and blood disorders and the ongoing research to understand the causes of these diseases.
And the Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation’s Annual Breakthrough Ball benefit gala will take place on Thursday, November 15 in the Plaza Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. The evening will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, an auction, an inspirational program, and live music. At last year’s event, 400+ guests raised nearly $1.2 million.
To learn more and donate to the center, visit childrenscbf.org
