Pediatric cancer is the number one cause of non-accidental death among children.
But no parent is ever prepared for a diagnosis.
At Pediatric Cancer Foundation, we’re working toward a future where no parent has to be.
Pediatric cancer is the number one cause of non-accidental death among children.
But no parent is ever prepared for a diagnosis.
At Pediatric Cancer Foundation, we’re working toward a future where no parent has to be.
Started in 1970 as the Maxwell Leeds Pediatric Tumor Foundation, we are a nonprofit committed to making pediatric cancer a relic of the past. PCF works toward this vision by supporting the seminal research, doctors, and institutions where progress is made.
PCF is proof that individuals and communities can accomplish amazing things. In a time of underfunded hospitals and scarce government grants, our 200 volunteers raise vitally needed funds through an annual Walkathon, Luncheon, Evening Event series, and countless bake sales, bowl-a-thons, and satellite events.
In 2018 alone, these fundraisers have contributed half a million dollars to leading oncology institutions:
Pediatric Cancer Foundation, known as the Maxwell Leeds Pediatric Tumor Foundation until well after 1982, was founded in 1970 by grateful parents whose son underwent surgery at Babies Hospital, New York Presbyterian Medical Center. (This hospital is now known as Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian.) These grateful parents established the Foundation after realizing that malignant pediatric tumors were extremely prevalent and that children afflicted in this way needed treatment with the most advanced medical techniques.
The Foundation started simply and utilized the services of devoted volunteers to perform every aspect of fund raising. The first group of Directors were the parents’ family, neighbors and friends, but in a relatively short period of time the membership expanded rapidly to over 40 committed individuals who gave their expertise, time, and support to achieve outstanding goals in basic and clinical research as well as care and treatment of children with cancer.
The first event raised $5,000; however, from 1970-1982 approximately $500,000 was raised. Of the three fellowships grants awarded during that time, one was given to the now renowned pediatric surgeon, Dr. Charles Stolar, who recently accepted the position of one of PCF’s Medical Advisors.
Today PCF has grown to include support for children and their families afflicted with all types of cancer. Four decades of support has enabled the Foundation to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, support research projects and bring exceptional fellows to both the surgical and oncology departments.
The many hours spent by our caring membership (which consists of over 200 volunteers) enables us to raise significant funds in a time of underfunded hospitals and scarce government grants.
This year we will have committed almost half a million dollars in programs, research and equipment. In an effort to meet these commitments, we stage annual events including the Evening Benefit/Journal, Sportsathons, and a number of satellite events.
We are … Coming Together for A Cure with the hope that our efforts will help eradicate the number one non-accidental killer of children. We started as grassroots, down-home organization that started by doing its own licking and stamping on the dining room tables of its members. Today we have grown into our own and now support five major hospitals in the tri-state area, as well at including their satellite outreach programs. Most recently, we have begun funding University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital.
With the inclusion of advanced technological equipment that we support, our doctors are in communication with hospitals both nationally as well as on an international level. We look forward to our continued efforts at growth and advancement in this field, to not only cure but to provide a normal life for children with cancer.