I know personally what an impact cancer research can have on those who need hope. My father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and the treatment options available to him today are vastly different from when my grandpa was fighting the disease forty years prior. As a family member of a cancer warrior, and a close friend to one who has lost his fight, I support funding research to help ensure that the best treatment options are available for those who are fighting this disease.
And for kids fighting this disease, research for childhood cancers has come a long way. In the 1950's, almost all kids diagnosed with cancer died. Today, about 85% of kids with the most common type of cancer will live. But we still have a long way to go -- childhood cancer research is one area that is severely underfunded, receiving less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget, and 0% of funding from pharmaceutical companies. It’s private foundations who help fill the funding gap so kids will have a fighting chance.
I support St. Baldrick’s because they are the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. They make sure that the greatest percentage of every dollar raised goes to the very best in childhood cancer research, and have funded over $127 million for 690 research grants at more than 326 institutions in 20 countries.
Today I’m asking you to join me in the fight. You can donate here, or sign up and start soliciting for donations yourself, or ask some friends and start your own team! It’s that simple. You can choose to shave your head in solidarity with kids undergoing cancer treatment at our St. Baldrick’s event or raise money through the “Do What You Want” initiative – however you want to participate, raising money for childhood cancer research is the goal, to make a difference for every kid fighting this disease. Every dollar counts!