Annual Impact Report

January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024

In 2024, we asked, “What would it take?” to end childhood cancer.

At Children’s Cancer Research Fund, we believe a world without childhood cancer is possible, but it will take all of us. That’s why we focus our funding priorities on incredible research potential happening at institutions across the country.

For the 15,000 children diagnosed with cancer every year, it’s crucial that we fund safer, more effective treatments and cures. And for childhood cancer research, more than half of all funding comes from private philanthropy.

Together, we’re giving families more hope and less heartbreak.

Explore Children’s Cancer Research Fund’s 2024 detailed financial information here.

With $6 million invested in research and family programs in 2024, our work continues to reflect momentum in overcoming complacency with decades-old treatment options. Together, we’re giving families more hope than heartbreak.

Here’s a snapshot of our impact:

Prioritizing highly aggressive cancers with persistently low survival rates such as brain tumors, sarcomas and certain types of leukemias.
Funding brilliant researchers who are creating an off-the-shelf targeted leukemia treatment that can be available for widespread and urgent use, while also preserving a child’s immune system.
Launched a clinical trial on relapsed Wilms tumors led by a researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering, plus two additional clinical trials to enhance education and awareness about this rare cancer.
Funded research projects that explore ways to support kids who survive cancer long after cancer is gone. Over 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have a significant health issue caused by their cancer treatment by the time they are 45 years old. Many of these issues can be lessened or even prevented by proper survivorship care, but only one in five survivors receive the customized care and guidance they need.
Reduce psychological distress experienced by adolescent cancer survivors, help leukemia survivors regain and maintain their health after treatment, and enable survivors to better understand their risk of certain genetic diseases.
Testing virtual reality with local anesthesia to help kids with leukemia undergo spinal taps without general anesthesia. Repeated anesthesia can cause cognitive issues, especially when kids need multiple procedures.
Addressing health disparities so that any child fighting cancer, no matter their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status, will have access to the best treatment possible.
Supported continuing education curriculum for the Cancer Survivorship Conference, the Mark E. Nesbit Lectureship in Pediatric Oncology and the Norma K.C. Ramsey, MD, Distinguished Visiting Professor Lectureship Series.

The LeJeune Family Wellbeing Programs

Our work isn’t limited to the lab - because children with cancer shouldn’t miss out on the simple joys of childhood. In 2024, we provided meaningful experiences for kids and their families. Here’s a look back at some of those program highlights:

Sent Cure Cancer Bear (a.k.a. “CC Bear”), a plush teddy bear keepsake, to 619 children at no cost to families.
Invited 35 children to attend Camp Norden, an in-person summer camp designed specifically for kids who have or have had cancer. These kids can often feel isolated from friends. Camp Norden makes connections possible.
Delivered the summer camp experience directly to the homes of 14 kids through Virtual Camp Norden. This unique opportunity relies on virtual reality to build a community that kids with cancer can enjoy wherever they are.
Engineered the Big Dreams Tour for 30 kids, where art, music and magic create interactive games, music videos, original songs – a digital, personalized keepsake for families.
Brought Big Dreams To Life for 6 kids and their families, using their digital Big Dreams creation as the brainchild for an immersive, real-life experience. This full-day on-location adventure is made possible with the support of local communities and corporate partners.
Expanded audience reach through digital platforms, donated media and outdoor advertising to share impactful stories of our CCRF community.

To view our full 2024 financials, click here. 

Allowed 34 children to attend In-Person Camp Norden, a summer camp experience in Crosslake, Minnesota specifically created for kids who have or have had cancer. These kids don’t often have opportunities to connect with others who understand what they’ve been through, but Camp Norden makes those connections possible. “One of our campers recognized that another has a port scar too, and they connected over their shared experience,” shared an in-person Camp Norden counselor. “Multiple times our campers were checking in on one another, working to include others.”
Gave 13 kids from all over the country the opportunity to participate in Virtual Camp Norden, a unique experience that uses virtual reality headsets to connect kids with cancer with a week of exciting activities they can participate in from wherever they are. “One of my favorite parts was when all the campers knew one of their fellow campers was sick, so they all built a special virtual world to cheer her up,” said a Virtual Camp Norden counselor. “She loved seeing everyone dancing to her song and seeing the 3D models of cats her friends made to cheer her up!”
Allowed 54 kids to have a Big Dreams Tour experience, where artist and musician James Orrigo helps a child direct a music video, create a game or compose an original song, and then brings their ideas to life by recruiting local students, businesses, marching bands and more to create an immersive experience centered around the child’s creativity.