About Us

At Children’s Cancer Research Fund Our Goal is Focused and Clearly Defined: Eradicate Childhood Cancer

And we’re making big strides.

Children’s Cancer Research Fund, a national nonprofit 501 (c)3, supports the pioneering efforts in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of childhood cancers at the University of Minnesota, a national leader in pediatric cancer research. Many discoveries funded by Children’s Cancer Research Fund have revolutionized the way childhood cancer is treated worldwide.

We invest in the research areas that will have the most impact in the pursuit of better cures and treatments for children with cancer. Here are just a few of the ways we are making strides:

Leadership

The Childhood Cancer Registry Network—led by one of our Co-Chief Medical Advisors—is being used by 97% of new pediatric cancer patients, and is the model for medical registries.
The researchers we support are granted more NIH and other grant funding on umbilical cord blood stem cells and transplantation than any other institution in the world.

Results

The double cord blood transplant – developed by our other Co-Chief Medical Advisor—which has dramatically increased leukemia survival rates in both children and adults– is known worldwide as the Minneapolis regimen. The University of Minnesota—the center we support—has performed more cord blood transplants than anywhere else in the world.
We funded the largest study of childhood cancer survivors, which now number more than 300,000 in the U.S., which found that survivors were at significant risk of ongoing health issues due to their cancer treatment. We also support one of the first clinics dedicated to the ongoing healthcare of childhood cancer survivors.

Faster Cures

In just over 10 months, researchers funded by Children’s Cancer Research Fund developed and manufactured a brain tumor vaccine that is getting prepared for clinical trials. This vaccine shows promise to increase survival rates and provide treatments with fewer side effects.
Our researchers are isolating T-cells from umbilical cord blood then inserting a specific DNA sequence in the T-cells, which enhances their ability to recognize and kill leukemia and lymphoma cells.

With the continued support of Children’s Cancer Research Fund, new discoveries can keep building on the progress that’s been made, and we can keep working towards an ultimate goal – a world free of childhood cancer.

Our History

It Began with a Simple Request...

In December 1979, Katie Hageboeck lost her 16-month battle with leukemia. She was only 13 years old. Before she died, Katie made a special request of her parents, Diana and Norm Hageboeck. She asked that Children’s Cancer Research Fund® be named as her memorial fund and that the money she had been saving for a new 10-speed bike be donated.

Diana and Norm did much more than donate Katie’s money. With the help of friends, they began organizing the first Dawn of Dream® benefit concert in 1980. The event, which was then held in 1981, raised more than $50,000 for Children’s Cancer Research Fund.

For our first 15 years, Children’s Cancer Research Fund raised funds for world class research at the University of Minnesota as part of the Minnesota Medical Foundation (MMF). Donors grew to 2,000 to 3,000 each year, and annual program spending on research and education grew to close to $1 million. In 1995, Children’s Cancer Research Fund became its own 501(c) 3.

...And Grew into Something Amazing

In 1999, Children’s Cancer Research Fund made the decision to take its inspiring mission to a national audience, and grow its donor base by investing in a national direct response fundraising program through direct mail. This resulted in a four-fold increase in funds raised in just 2/3 the time. Since then more than $40 million has been raised for cancer research, which resulted in an estimated $500 million in additional NIH funding for the researchers we support. An additional $20 million has been raised for patient support and education initiatives.

Measuring ROI in Young Lives Saved

Our compassion for kids with cancer drives our goal of raising the most funds possible as quickly as possible. Young lives are at stake. The investment in direct mail comes at the cost of a tidy fundraising ratio. Whereas CCRF spends under 10% on administrative costs, it invests the resources necessary to reach 300,000 in all 50 states. In total, we have enlisted more than 1.5 million people in our battle against childhood cancer during our 30 years.