Kenedi and Kendal’s Story

Identical twins Kenedi and Kendal shared everything – including an unimaginable diagnosis. At just 3 months old, both girls were diagnosed with AML, a rare type of childhood cancer.

Fritz’s Story

When 9-year-old Fritz went to the dentist for what seemed like a routine tooth pain, no one expected it would change his life forever. What the dentist discovered was actually a rare tumor – leading to a diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma in his jaw, representing less than 1% of all cases of this already rare childhood cancer.

McKenzy’s Story

McKenzy, diagnosed with metastatic cancer at 16, has endured over 40 surgeries. Despite a relapse, she’s pursued her passions, earning a college degree and starting a master’s program.

Izzy’s Story

Diagnosed with a germ cell tumor at just a year old, Izzy endured chemotherapy and hospital stays. Now six years cancer-free, she and her family are passionate advocates for childhood cancer research.

Tenzin’s Story

Tenzin, a 10-year-old leukemia fighter and Junior Black Belt, continues his treatment with unwavering resilience.

Kayden’s Story – Fighting Leukemia

Kayden’s parents took him to the emergency room for pain and unexplained bruising. Finally, one of the emergency room doctors called an oncologist, who ran a test that showed Kayden had signs of leukemia. The world of cancer treatment wasn’t made for kids – but Kayden was suddenly a part of it.

Jackson’s Story – Ready for Anything

Jackson Kalbhenn smiling

Jackson’s mom Martine has a “go bag” packed at all times. Whenever they get home, she washes everything, packs most of the items right back up and sits the bag on the counter, just in case. This uncertain way of living, having to be ready to head to the hospital at any time, is how Jackson and his family have been living since July 2023, when Jackson was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a type of bone cancer.

One of a Kind – Lila’s Story

Lila Mathew and CC Bear

Medical challenges are not new territory for 14-year-old Lila and her family – she had a stroke before she was born, she is non-verbal and is only fed through a g-tube. She has been diagnosed with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, meaning she has a hard time moving her arms and legs, as well as Dystonia, Scoliosis and more. So when leukemia was added to the list, Sarah was terrified – childhood cancer is already so rare and hard to treat, and Lila’s other diagnoses made this situation unique.

Dream Maker Award 2024

RJ Shook and Lily

Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Dream Maker Award: R.J. and Liz Shook of Boca Raton, FL.

A Little Warrior – Sloane’s Story 

You might think it strange that Allison cherishes the opportunity to watch her three-year-old daughter, Sloane, throw a tantrum. It’s something most parents would roll their eyes at – a little kid getting wildly upset over something silly. But for Allison, every typical toddler struggle is a reminder that right now, Sloane is healthy. And after what Sloane has been through, her family doesn’t take that for granted.

A Battery-Operated Heart – Megan’s Osteosarcoma Story

Portrait of Megan Wagner

When 8-year-old Megan was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, she asked her mom what osteosarcoma was – she’d never heard the word before. Her mom said, “It’s something we don’t want, but it’s something we’re going to fight.”

The power of seed funding: CCRF-funded leukemia screening project lands NIH grant

Noah, leukemia survivor

Erin Marcotte, PhD, MPH, and Heather Nelson, PhD, MPH, of University of Minnesota are seizing the opportunity to turn small things into big hope for the future of childhood leukemia. In 2016, the pair received a grant from Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) to develop a new method to predict which children are at risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) — and perhaps one day prevent it.

Bone marrow recipient Ella is flower girl in her donor’s wedding

Ella had a very aggressive form of acute myeloid leukemia, and neither of her siblings were a marrow match. Even after the transplant, she had only a 10% chance of making it past the one-year mark. But thanks to Cody’s whim decision in college to donate marrow, Ella was able to participate in his wedding as one of their flower girls three years after her transplant.

Teeing Up for a Cure

Humbled. Hopeful. Loved.  Those are just some of the emotions the family of Nicholas Cisewski feels every year during the Nicholas Cisewski Memorial Golf Tournament in Minnesota. The tournament recently celebrated its 10th year of converging on the green in Nick’s honor, raising nearly $20,000 in support of childhood cancer research.  Throughout Nick’s 14 years of life, he was “a kid that everyone knew,” his …

CCRF’s New CEO, Elizabeth Allen, Has Big Plans

It’s hard to believe we’re already two months into my new role as CEO of Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF)! These initial weeks have been a whirlwind filled with optimism and hope, and I’m excited to share my vision for the future of CCRF with you.  First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the terrifically talented group of individuals who make up the heart and …

Divide and conquer – a new way to study osteosarcoma

Using The Fight Osteosarcoma Together (FOT) Super Grant, funded in part by the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund, Dr. Grohar will spend three years leading a research team to investigate a family of genes called MYC. His larger goal is to identify targeted treatments for osteosarcoma patients whose MYC genes have gone awry.

Turning Pain into Purpose – Riding for Mary

In 2006, Mary, a strong and talented track runner, was slated to head off to her first year of college. She visited her doctor for the required physical check-up that was standard. But this exam turned out to be far from routine, and it would forever change the lives of Mary and her family.