Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Every September, the V Foundation recognizes Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. There are over 15,000 children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S. With minimal federal funding directed toward pediatric cancer research, private funding provides critical support.
Cancer Research Gives Kids Hope.
A Hope of Victory Over Cancer.
“When I went to MD Anderson, they told me, ‘We’re working on stuff right now. It might not be for a couple years, but there’s stuff in the works. People are working to help you and to help many others.”
– Gabby Orlet, Childhood Cancer Thriver
Research Brings Victory Over Cancer
When 8-year-old Harper began having frequent headaches and naps, it was chalked up to stress.
Her mom, Heather, knew it was more.
The next thing they knew, Harper was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
During her treatment, Harper was offered a spot in a clinical trial. This was research that hadn’t existed for kids like her a few years earlier, and that dramatically lowered her risk of relapse. The rest of Harper’s story is a testament to the importance of cancer research and the resilience of one little girl who is growing up to do big things.
Our Impact through the Dick Vitale Pediatric Research Fund
We’ve funded over $107.4 million in pediatric cancer research grants (264 all-time). V-funded grantees, over their entire careers, have worked on 200 clinical trials for pediatric cancer.
Since 1970, the cancer death rate has declined by 69% in children (0-14) and by 58% in adolescents (15-19).
“Having four various cancers, melanoma, lymphoma, vocal cord cancer and lymph node cancer, I have never been more inspired and motivated to raise money to help youngsters battling this dreaded disease. These children are true Prime Time Players! And the only way to win, is through research.”
– Dick Vitale
On January 30, 2015, at age 17, my left leg was amputated above the knee. Waking up from that surgery, you’d think it’d be devastating, and it was weird for sure, but in a way it was freeing. It was like the future of this new life of who Noah 2.0 was gonna be.
I’m very lucky that everything and everyone who went through the journey before me has brought the technology and advancements to the point where we knew that was a good decision. That is the incredible part of the day and age we’re in the world right now, we’re seeing the future of adaptive sports and everything being built.
Immediately, I tried to start saving money so I could move to the mountains to pursue the dream of becoming a Paralympic snowboarder.
…
In Milan, I won gold in the Banked Slalom and silver in the Snowboard Cross and have since won my third consecutive Overall Crystal Globe, including 4 disciplinary Crystal globe’s. I’m proud to say I’m currently ranked the No. 1 para-snowboarder in the world.
Diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer, Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN), in 2023, Elijah Randolph’s journey continues to inspire all who hear it. Even after spending weeks in the hospital, Elijah’s bright personality and positive mindset shined through.
One person who witnessed Elijah’s spirit was Andrea Hurley, wife of UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley. Elijah has become a valuable part of the Huskies’ program, even traveling with the team to the 2024 NCAA Final Four and witnessing UConn win the Championship.
Elijah is passionate about advancing research for others who may have to go through similar journeys to his own.
“I think that there’s not enough research that is going on, especially my type of cancer that I was diagnosed with two years ago,” Elijah said. “That’s where the V Foundation comes in. I’m just extremely grateful for what the V Foundation has done on behalf of people like me that have gone through what I’ve gone through.”
A Sincere Thank You
Seventh-grader and two-time cancer thriver Chloe Grimes wrote a note of thanks to cancer researchers for the impact they make each and every day. First diagnosed with an aggressive lung cancer at the age of two, Chloe showed tremendous resilience and rang the bell! A few years later, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and persevered through that journey as well.
Today, Chloe loves playing softball, and recently hit a home run on the road to winning the state championship! This is a testament to the power of lifesaving cancer research.
Supported by the V Foundation and Live Like Madison, M. Eric Kohler, Ph.D., leads crucial pediatric cancer research utilizing CAR T-cell immunotherapy against osteosarcoma. His ambitious, high-impact approach of reprogramming immune cells to selectively target cancer cells aims to overcome hard-to-treat solid tumors while minimizing side effects — offering young patients effective treatments, fewer toxicities, and a higher quality of life.
“In pediatrics, this is especially important because in the patients that we cure, we’re trying to give them decades of life after cancer. And thinking about ways to provide them with the highest quality of life after their cancer is really important.”
A two-time V Foundation grantee, Kimberly Stegmaier, M.D., has used genomics to identify individual genes to target during treatment for high-risk pediatric neuroblastoma patients. The medications to target these types of genes have worked for other cancers but have not been tried for neuroblastoma. Now, Dr. Stegmaier and team will test drug combinations in the lab with the hope of leading to a clinical trial for childhood neuroblastoma patients in the future.
“It really started with that V Foundation grant. The impact that the V is having is tremendous. And again, in pediatric cancer, we’re so grateful that there’s a focus on pediatrics within the V Foundation.”
Dribble for Victory Over Cancer
The V Foundation for Cancer Research and Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation are uniting with men’s and women’s basketball teams across the country to end childhood cancer.
Dribble for Victory Over Cancer brings the community together for a chance to dribble side-by-side with the players and coaches of elite college basketball teams. Participants of all ages are invited to dribble a one-mile loop around campus, and exclusive prizes are awarded for top fundraisers.
Join us on campuses around the country this fall to meet college basketball players, coaches, and alumni while giving kids and their families facing cancer a chance for a brighter tomorrow.
All funds raised will benefit the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation.
Since 2022, First Watch has donated a portion of every kid’s meal sold at more than 630 locations nationwide to the V Foundation’s Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund, helping fuel lifesaving pediatric cancer research and proving that everyday choices can have extraordinary impact.
First Watch is also proud to continue its ongoing sponsorship of Dick Vitale’s annual gala, an annual event hosted in Sarasota, FL by ESPN analyst and V Foundation board member, Dick Vitale to raise money for pediatric cancer research and the V Foundation.
The Delta Chi Fraternity recognizes the prevalence of cancer among its own communities and has partnered with the V Foundation for Cancer Research as their International Philanthropy partner since 2006.
Since 2023, Delta Chi Fraternity has committed all funds raised to the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund to improve and accelerate treatments for children with cancer. The organization has raised $2.8 million for the V Foundation to date.
The Horn Funding Corp partners with the V Foundation to help raise funds for the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. For every closed loan, The Horn Funding Corp donates $100 to pediatric cancer research.
The V Foundation and Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer partnered to co-fund $4 million in game-changing pediatric cancer research grants. The partnership furthers both organizations commitment to accelerate best-in-class research that drives real progress for children and their families battling cancer.
Washington Capitals star forward Alex Ovechkin made history and is now the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer! While creating a legacy on the ice, he’s also dedicated to leaving a lasting impact on childhood cancer research.
Alex has teamed up with the Capitals, Hockey Fights Cancer™ and the V Foundation to raise funds for childhood cancer research through THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer! 100% of donations raised in this campaign will fund a pediatric cancer research grant through the V Foundation in the Washington, D.C. area.