CancerFree KIDS was founded by Ellen and Sam Flannery after their baby daughter was diagnosed with cancer at 5 months of age. Today, due to advances in cancer research and the grace of God, that baby is a healthy 8th grader. But there is much work to do.
This is an exciting time in cancer research. The Director of the National Cancer Institute has said, "We can now say with certainty we know the road to take, the only question is the speed at which we proceed along that road." In other words, curing cancer is no longer the impossible dream. It is simply a matter of money ~ enough money to continue the research in the labs, to translate that research into clinical trials, and to bring the treatments to the general public so everyone can benefit. All of the vast improvements in the way we diagnose, treat and cure cancers have come as the result of research and we need money to continue down the path with increased speed.
Why is pediatric cancer research so important to all of us? Saving every precious child's life is first and foremost. In addition, research on childhood cancers gives us insight into all kinds of cancer and often has important applicability to adult cancers. Unfortunately, research on childhood cancers is extremely under-funded as compared to adult cancers.
CancerFree KIDS intends to support research by raising funds in a myriad of ways ~ through special events and corporate alliances - and to make a real difference in the research community. We also actively advocate for additional funding on a national level for pediatric cancer research.
CancerFree KIDS is a new breed of non-profit organization. We invite anyone with an interest in pediatric cancer research to share their time, talents and treasure and to be part of the "alliance." We offer an opportunity to go beyond writing the check. We are forming alliances with the physicians who are doing the research. We will identify research projects that need funding and make them happen. We will meet the researchers, learn about their work, and know the results. We will all know what we are working for, where the money is going and feel a part of the work in progress.