CURESEARCH MISSION
Our mission is to end children's cancer by driving targeted and innovative research with measurable results in an accelerated time frame.
RESEARCH VISION
Improve children's cancer treatment and cures to deliver the potential for childhood cancer patients to lead long, healthy lives.
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Recently, Vice President Joe Biden took the lead on a new initiative, the Cancer Moonshot project. The Moonshot is an attempt to martial resources to advance cancer research over the next five years at a rapid rate. On June 29, I attended the Moonshot Summit in Washington DC. The presentations and breakout sessions validated our CureSearch focus to bridge the gap between academia and the pharma industry in order to get new treatments to childhood cancer patients. We know the journey will be one met with challenges, but we must never forget about the overwhelming need for safe, effective treatments for the 15,740 children diagnosed with cancer each year. And, the need is now.
By connecting and collaborating with families, partners, industry experts, and young trailblazers, CureSearch for Children's Cancer is changing the way pediatric cures are discovered and advanced. We recently closed the application period for Acceleration Initiative 3, which will award $2-3M over three years to those dedicated to finding a way to overcome scientific and therapeutic roadblocks. We are also excited to announce the debut of our Catapult Initiative, which will propel discoveries over the Valley of Death and move treatments and cures out of the lab and into clinical trials and eventual commercialization.
All of the initiatives we create have one common goal: save children now. We cannot do this alone, so we will continue to make connections. We will connect with those who are transcending research barriers, and most importantly, with those who are dedicated to finding a cure for every child diagnosed with cancer. Join us. Donate and make a difference in the lives of the 43 children who learned they have cancer today, so that they have a better chance of a future tomorrow.
Until there are cures,
Laura Thrall
CEO
CureSearch for Children's Cancer
CURES WITH INTEGRITY
Ending children's cancer is imperative. At CureSearch, our values guide us in how we are pushing forward to find cures and less-toxic treatments for children with cancer.
HONESTY & INTEGRITY
TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
CREATIVITY & COLLABORATION
THE CURESEARCH DIFFERENCE
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We focus only on children's cancer. |
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We're not here just to fund research, we're here to drive patient impact. |
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Our Scientific Advisory Council and Scientific Review Board brain trust is unmatched. |
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We invest in large-scale grants over a three-year timeframe, which allows our researchers to focus on their work, not fundraising. |
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We hold ourselves - and our grant recipients - accountable through a novel measurement framework and frequent reporting to our constituents. |
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We build strong, long-term partnerships with our funded researchers so that successful work is supported beyond the scope of their original CureSearch grant. |
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We are bridging the 'valley of death' by creating unique partnerships with biotech and pharma to ensure that promising research makes it out of the lab and into the clinic. |
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We propel discoveries over the Valley of Death and move treatments and cures out of the lab and into clinical trials by bringing together leaders in academia, industry, policy regulation, private foundations, as well as parents to accelerate the fight to end children's cancer. |
CURESEARCH COLLABORATION
By facilitating relationships between academic researchers and the pharmaceutical industry, we can get new cures and treatments out of the lab and to the children.
To facilitate academic-industry partnerships, in 2016 CureSearch formed The Industry Advisory Council (IAC), a team of experts from pharmaceutical companies leading the way in pediatric cancer drug development.
PROPELLING DISCOVERIES
WITH CATAPULT
In the complex world of children's cancer research, no independent organization currently coordinates efforts between academic scientists, drug developers, and policy regulators to advance new treatments and cures. Moving forward, CureSearch is proud to play the role of convener and collaborator to bring these key parties together in a way that is singularly focused on accelerating the commercialization of children's cancer treatments to save children now.
Through this ground-breaking initiative, Catapult will propel discoveries over the Valley of Death. We hosted Phase One of the project, The Catapult Summit, on February 28 and 29, 2016 in Menlo Park, California, the home of some of the world's most innovative advancements in medical research. A private and strategically curated event, Catapult Summit participants represent academia, industry, policy regulation, private foundations, and parents. All are leaders in the fight to end children's cancer. Our shared goal - to find solutions that move promising new cancer treatments and cures out of the academic lab and into clinical trials.
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ACCELERATION INITIATIVE 1
$5M over three years
(2013-2016)
ACCELERATION INITIATIVE 2
$1.69M over three years
(2015-2018)
Two awardees selected in partnership with
Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research.
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Richard Gilbertson
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3 | High-risk brain tumor subtypes |
5 | New pre-clinical models developed |
3 | Compounds in pre-clinical testing |
1 | Novel pre-clinical trial design |
"We are honored to work with Rising Tide and CureSearch on this exciting project...to improve the lives of children with brain tumors."
- Richard Gilbertson, MD, PhD
Maria-Grazia Roncarolo
MD
Stanford University
Cell-based Therapy for AML
$855K
3 | New cell lines developed for novel cell therapy |
40 | Pediatric AML samples in pre-clinical testing |
1 | Clinical trial planned within three years |
"We are very happy about the award and look forward to working with CureSearch to develop novel therapies for children with hematological malignancies."
- Maria-Grazia Roncarolo, MD
ACCELERATION INITIATIVE 3
$2-3M over three years
(2017-2020)
On May 2, 2016, CureSearch announced the opening of the application window for a $2,000,000 – $3,000,000 (USD) International Grand Challenge Awards opportunity that addresses three critical challenges in pediatric cancer treatments:
YOUNG INVESTIGATORS
The CureSearch Young Investigator (YI) program is designed to attract early stage investigators and feed the pipeline for future Acceleration Initiative investigators. YI Grants fund transformational science designed to deliver the next generation of cancer treatment.
The first Young Investigator grant awarded $1.2M over two years and resulted in two clinical trials, 11 potential new therapies, and 360 new drug targets.
YOUNG INVESTIGATOR 2
$1.35M over three years
(2015-2017)
CureSearch awarded six new grants in 2015. After one year, each of the grantees has made substantial progress towards finding new treatments.
SIX YOUNG INVESTIGATOR 2 GRANTEES
SPOTLIGHT ON:
Dr. Rosenberg has 62 AYA* patients enrolled in her PRISM** clinical trial which is aimed at improving psychosocial outcomes among patients and families facing childhood cancer. *Adolescent/Young Adult |
Cumulative Impacts62 patients enrolled in 
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Ranjit Bindra, MD, PhD
Kara Davis, DO
Anthony Graves, MD, PhD
Andrew Lee Hong, MD
Birgit Knoechel, MD, PhD
Abby Rosenberg, MD, MSCOMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS
In recognition of the importance of pyscho-social and caregiver resources and clinical trials in addressing the immediate needs of children with cancer, CureSearch launched the Community Impact Awards (CCIA) in 2015.
CCIA 2015
Community Impact Awards
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Community Impact Awards
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In partnership with Gateway For Cancer Research.CCIA 2016
The next round of CCIA funding will go to 25 hospitals for programs and resources that support families in coping with emotional, mental and other anxieties associated with cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. A total of $250,000 will be awarded in November 2016.
MEET THE CHILDREN: SYDNEY HAWK
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CureSearch focuses on research that drives patient impact. Your donations help children like Sydney Hawk, who was diagnosed with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) when she was just three years old. Her family is her support system, and even though she is a survivor, the Hawks continue to support her fight through their CureSearch Walk Team, Hope for Sydney. |
 
SYDNEY HAWK |
RESOURCES AND TOOLS
AWARD-WINNING APP!Put the CureSearch CancerCare mobile app to work for you. Here's how it can help:
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WEBSITE
Our website welcomes more than 600,000 visitors per year, and offers a broad spectrum of educational resources and tools:
- Webinars for school support
- Children's cancer facts and figures
- Educational videos
- Medically vetted content in plain, simple language
CURESEARCH PARTNERS
Our work would not be possible without the generous support of thousands of Walkers, Hikers, Challenge-Seekers, and Donors. It is our honor to recognize the following partners for their extraordinary support:
Genentech | Love Your Melon | eBay giving works
Shark Shootout Charities | Sobrato Family Foundation
 Dr. Kara Davis' team in Love Your Melon hats |
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Love Your Melon is an apparel brand that was founded in an entrepreneurship class at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota by two friends, Zach and Brian. Their team has expanded to more than 11,000 college students who are determined to improve the lives of children battling cancer. Love Your Melon fully funded our Young Investigator, Dr. Kara Davis, as she studies improving relapse rates in B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP ALL).
DONOR FUNDS AND ULTIMATE GIFTS
CureSearch is grateful to the families who have established a Champion or Legacy Fund to honor their child:
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Jacob Koenigs 'Jakefest' Memorial Fund and Kiewit |
Luke McGuire Legacy Fund |
The ultimate gift to support children with cancer is a bequest in your final estate plan. CureSearch is honored to be included in the final plans of these extraordinary people:
The Howard and Janet Emery Living Trust
Jean B. Michael
Robert T. Ridley
EVENTS
You want an end to children's cancer. We do, too. Let's work together to raise awareness and the money it takes to find cures. Events are a great way to do both.
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