Current Programs and Accomplishments

CCF has donated more than $7 million to advance pediatric cancer research in the Dallas area. Among the programs supported by CCF are the National Institute of Health pediatric hematology-oncology fellowship program at Children's Medical Center and the Children's Cancer Fund Comprehensive Center for Research in Pediatric Oncology, which is gaining a national reputation for its work in eradicating childhood cancers. In 2002, CCF initiated a patient-care program at Children's Medical Center serving the outpatient unit at the CCBD for cancer patients and their families during their visits to the clinic.

Children’s Cancer Fund recognized the individual and family needs of children receiving care at the Children’s Medical Center and in 2003 committed to fund a “Child Life Assistant” in the outpatient setting. This position has been instrumental in helping decrease anxiety for children by providing much-needed distraction activities such as group games, crafts and art activities. In addition to these activities, the assistant provides continuity of care to patients returning to clinic week after week. This person is identified as a “safe” person and is wellequipped to provide emotional, cognitive and developmental support for children to increase coping with stressful hospital visits and painful procedures. Each year since, CCF has continued to fund the Child Life Assistant at CCBD.

CCF is currently pledged to raise 2 million dollars to finalize plans for a comprehensive pediatric oncology research center at the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center in Dallas. It would be a premier site with state of the art facilities.
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CCF Grants $75,000 for Research on Acute Myeloid Leukemia

June 2008 - The Children's Cancer Fund is pleased to announce the funding of an important research project for Dr. Scott Cameron at UTSW Medical Center focusing on AML, or acute myeloid leukemia.

AML, or Acute Myeloid Leukemia, is a very serious form a childhood cancer that carries with it a historically poor survival rate.  AML, like ALL, is a cancer of the blood.  It most often occurs spontaneously, but can also arise as a secondary cancer … certain chemotherapy agents used to treat other cancers increase the risk of developing AML.

Dr. Scott Cameron has been working on research involving programmed cell death.  In addition to dividing too rapidly, cancer cells also fail to die.  Dr. Cameron’s research has focused on identifying the “switches” that decide whether a cell lives or dies. He and his team will try to develop a drug to activate this switch in AML cells.

Thanks to all the generous donations provided by the supporters of CCF for making this study possible!

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CCF Funds Child Life Assistant at Children's Medical Center Dallas

January 2008 - The child life assistant (CLA) position funded by the Children's Cancer Fund assists families in the outpatient setting for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's Medical Center Dallas. This position was first filled by Megan McCavit in August 2002. The CLA presence in the outpatient unit was extremely well received and quickly became a welcomed support to patients and families as they awaited lengthy appointments and painful treatments. In July 2003, Megan left the position to return to the classroom environment as an elementary school teacher.

On July 14, 2003, Kristin Souers joined the CCBD as the new assistant. Kristin received her bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis in child development from Texas A&M University. Her experience included working with physically and mentally handicapped children through a recreation therapy program at Plano Parks and Recreation and at-risk children at the Still Creek Boys and Girls Ranch for two years.

Kristin Souers Fuhrmann left the outpatient unit CLA position in June 2005. In late June 2005, Jessica Callicutt, a former assistant in the Children's Child Life Department and Children's employee since October 2003, began in the CLA position as transfer from a milieu therapist role in Children's psychiatry department. Jessica has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Texas, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in counseling at Texas Woman's University.  She expects to complete her course work in May 2007.

The presence of a child life assistant in the outpatient setting has been instrumental in helping decrease anxiety for children by providing much-needed distraction activities such as group games, crafts and art activities. In addition to these activities, the assistant provides continuity of care to patients returning to clinic week after week. This person is identified as a "safe" person and is well-equipped to provide emotional, cognitive and developmental support for children to increase coping with stressful hospital visits and painful procedures.    

Jessica completed the medical play training protocol in the child life department in February 2006 in order to be able to facilitate group medical play activities in the outpatient setting.  Medical play utilizes common medical equipment such as syringes, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and port needles with stuffed animals or dolls. This type of therapeutic play increases the coping skills, mastery and understanding of children's treatment or procedures.  

The addition of a child life assistant has positively influenced the CCBD outpatient unit by creating a child-friendly and supportive environment.  The position has become an important part of the multi-disciplinary team by providing a therapeutic play program in the outpatient unit, a service not available without funding support by the Children's Cancer Fund. We are grateful for your continued support.

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CCF Celebrates 25 Years!

On October 18, 2007, the Children’s Cancer Fund celebrated it’s 25th year and kicked off a new look!  Hosted by supporters, Bill Wallace and Elizabeth Borkus, the night was eclectic and fun.  Bill and Elizabeth opened their home to over fifty CCF supporters over the past 25 years, including founders Ken Klaveness and Warren Basham.  Music was played by the unique sounds of Shanghai 5. 

While celebrating, the Children’s Cancer Fund announced it’s new look by unvealing the new Children’s Cancer Fund logo.  The logo inspiration and design was generously donated by Jen Tone and the RANGE employees. The new logo will set a new identity for the Children’s Cancer Fund, while keeping it’s same mission.  Special thanks to Range for the creation of our new look and Bill and Elizabeth for hosting this special event!  To see pictures of this great night, please click here.

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CCF Awards $250,000 to UTSW Medical Center of Dallas

September 27, 2007 - Children's Cancer Fund presented UTSW Medical Center at Dallas with a $250,000 grant, which completed a $1 million pledge that is matched dollar-for-dollar by an anonymous donor in order to fund the establishment of the Children's Cancer Fund Comprehensive Center for Pediatric Oncology Research at UT Southwestern. Amie Raney presented the check to Dr. George Buchanan during the appreciation dinner at UTSW Medical Center.

"We at Children's Cancer Fund remain dedicated to the effort to eliminate pediatric cancers," said Children's Cancer Fund Board President Amie Raney. "We are excited to continue our partnership with UT Southwestern in its continuing research efforts to achieve that goal."

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CCF Awards Two Pediatric Cancer Research Grants

April 15, 2007 - Children’s Cancer Fund is pleased to announce the funding of two research grants to UT Southwestern Medical Center.  A $75,000 grant was awarded to Rene L. Galindo, M.D., Ph.D, for his investigation of a molecular mechanism in the Rhabdomyosarcoma family of musculoskeletal tumors.  Rhabdomyosarcoma is a highly malignant form of pediatric cancer, subsets of which can have very poor outcomes.

A $50,000 grant was awarded to Tamra Slone, M.D., for her study of the impact of insulin resistance on morbidity and mortality for children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. 

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Children's Cancer Fund Ends the Year Strong With a $250,000 Grant to

UT Southwestern Medical Center

December 12, 2006 - Children's Cancer Fund ended the year with a $250,000 donation to UTSW Medical Center on December 12, 2006, which is a portion of a $1 million pledge that will be matched, dollar-for-dollar by an anonymous donor in order to fund the establishment of the Comprehensive Center at UT Southwestern. Taylor Stone presented the check to Dr. George Buchanan and Dr. Kern Wildenthal during the Annual Board of Directors Holiday Party hosted by Taylor and Jennifer Stone. The Children's Cancer Fund is excited about this innovative research center and proud to be a part of it.

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Children's Cancer Fund Awards $500,000 to UT Southwestern Medical Center

September 2005 - Children's Cancer Fund presented a $500,000 check to UTSW on September 31, 2005,which is the beginning of a $1 million pledge that will be matched, dollar-for-dollar by an anonymous donor in order to fund the establishment of the Comprehensive Center at UT Southwestern. Taylor Stone presented the check to Dr. George Buchanan during the appreciation dinner at UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas. The Children's Cancer Fund is proud to take part in this innovative research center.

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A special Children's Cancer Fund Grant of $525,000 to support young Pediatric Oncologist.

The Children's Cancer Fund, now in its 21 year of supporting laboratory and clinical research, has helped to bring on of the world's most promising young pediatric hematologist/oncologists, Dr. Scott Cameron to UT Southwestern Center of Dallas.

Other programs supported by CCF include clinical trials for new leukemia therapies, development of new treatments to reduce the side effects and the costs of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, molecular studies of liver and kidney tumors, and training of young pediatricians to become blood and cancer specialists.

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Dr. Gail Tomlinson, associate professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern and director of the Familial Cancer Registry, has been named first holder of the Children's Cancer Fund Distinguished Professorship in Pediatric Oncology Research.

Over the years, the organization has donated more than $6 million to UT Southwestern and Children's, raised through various fund-raising events.

Dr. Gail Tomlinson has been named the first holder of the Children's Cancer Fund Distinguished Professorship in Pediatric Oncology Research.

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The Children's Cancer Fund makes a record donation.

The Children's Cancer Fund makes a record donation of $1million gift to UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas towards the creation of a comprehensive pediatric cancer research center.

The Children's Cancer Fund is proud to take part in this innovative research center. It is our dream to help find a cure for all childhood cancers.

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