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  • About Pediatric Cancer Foundation

    Why PCF Exists

    About Pediatric
    Cancer Foundation

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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:

New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanly Children's Hospital - Columbia University Medical Center memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center NYU Langone Medical CenterFeinstein Institute for Medial Research - Northwell Health Maria Fareri Children's Hospital The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital Mt. Sinai

Understanding the Disease

We want our donors to know what we’re up against:

  • Cancer is the leading cause of non-accidental deaths in children ages 1 to 14.
  • All types of childhood cancers combined receive only 4% of the U.S. federal funding for cancer research.
  • For every six research dollars per patient with AIDS and every one research dollar per patient with breast cancer, a child with cancer receives 30 cents.
  • In the United States, approximately 10,590 children under the age of 15 and roughly 5,000 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 will be newly diagnosed with cancer this year. That is about the equivalent of two classrooms diagnosed each school day.
  • Childhood cancer rates have been incrementally rising for the past few decades, mostly due to improved detection. It is estimated that 1,180 deaths from cancer will occur this year in children in this age group and 600 deaths from cancer in teens aged 15 to 19.
  • Cancer affects all ethnic, gender, and socio-economic groups and more than 40,000 children undergo treatment for cancer each year. While some diagnoses have good cure rates, others have significantly less positive outcomes. Our goal is to find a cure for every child.
  • Because of major treatment advances in recent decades, more than 85% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more. Overall, this is a huge increase since the mid-1970s, when the 5-year survival rate was about 58%.
  • 60% of children who survive suffer devastating late effects such as secondary cancers, muscular difficulties and infertility.
Sources: American Cancer Society, CureSearch, and National Cancer Institute
Four decades of donor support have enabled our foundation to support research projects, bring exceptional fellows to both the surgical and oncology departments, and to purchase state-of-the-art equipment.
PCF receives no funding from the government or pharmaceutical companies. The eradication of this devastating disease depends on groups such as PCF and the generosity of people like you. Please join us as we come together for a cure.

About the Foundation

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.

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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.

Pediatric Cancer Foundation

Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s mission is to develop a cure for childhood cancer. For more than 45 years, the 501(c) (3) nonprofit has raised money for game-changing research, patient treatment and endowing world renowned doctors at the hospitals PCF supports. EIN 23-7161550

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P.O. Box 785
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phone 914-777-3127
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Fed ID # 23-7161550
© Pediatric Cancer Foundation
  • Why PCF Exists
    • About PCF/Fast Facts
    • About Pediatric Cancer
    • PCF Board
    • PCF Volunteers
    • Pediatric Cancer Resources
  • Our Impact
  • Stories
  • How You Can Help
    • Donate
    • Schedule of Upcoming Events
    • Start an Event
    • Sponsor
    • Shop for Bracelets
    • A Dollar Campaign
  • Donate
  • Grant Application 2020
  • News
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Join Our Mailing List
  • Contact
Pediatric Cancer Foundation