Coaches and student athletes from high schools and colleges across the country will team up this April against the deadliest childhood disease: pediatric brain cancer. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Vs. Cancer National Event returns for its third year, April 21-30.
A signature fundraising program of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Vs. Cancer empowers teams year-round to help kids with cancer in their communities. Teams pick one game each season where they play versus childhood cancer. Then they raise money to help the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation fund hospital and support programs for families navigating the profound emotional and financial impact of their child’s cancer diagnosis, as well as pediatric brain cancer research that’s unlocking new treatments and life-changing breakthroughs. Every dollar the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation invests in research attracts an additional 12 dollars in follow-on funding.
“Vs. Cancer makes it easy for you, your staff, and players to get involved and make a meaningful difference,” says University of South Florida Baseball Head Coach and Vs. Cancer Ambassador Billy Mohl. “We have made huge strides, but we still have a lot of work to do, and we need your help.”
The demand for pediatric brain cancer research and family support is at an all-time high, and this year’s 10-day Vs. Cancer National Event offers teams the opportunity to unite their voices and increase their impact against the childhood cancer community’s biggest crisis. A recent report revealed that more children are diagnosed with brain tumors than any other cancer. It also found that pediatric brain cancer is now the deadliest childhood disease, with incidence and mortality rates higher than ever.
Pediatric brain cancer trends are moving in the opposite direction of those for adults because childhood cancer does not receive the same level of attention or financial commitment as adult cancers. Through research funding, family support, and advocacy, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is committed to leading the way toward a future without childhood brain cancer. The support of Vs. Cancer fundraisers can make this better future possible.
In addition to making a difference in families’ lives, coaches participate in Vs. Cancer because it gives their student athletes a cause to rally around, improving players’ teamwork and leadership skills on and off the field.
“We started working with Vs. Cancer seven years ago when we had a young man battling cancer and it hit home. Our guys just take it to heart. They really care about the mission and this partnership means a lot to them,” says Bradley University Baseball Head Coach and Vs. Cancer Ambassador Elvis Dominguez.
Coaches, players and teams interested in participating in this year’s Vs. Cancer National Event should email Dave Mays, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Director of Vs. Cancer, at [email protected]. Teams who do not have a home game April 21-30 can work with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to designate any other date on their schedule as a Vs. Cancer game.
About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
Since 1991, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s research funding, advocacy, and family support have led the way in ending the childhood cancer community’s biggest crisis. Dedicated wholly to addressing this rare, but devastating disease and guided by the experiences of patients, survivors, their parents, and siblings, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is the only organization to meet families’ needs along every step of their cancer journey.
The largest patient advocacy funder of pediatric brain tumor research, the foundation also funds and advocates for innovative projects that lead to vital discoveries, new clinical trials, and better treatments – all bringing us closer to a cure. We’re able to do that because of people and partners committed to supporting families and ending childhood brain cancer. Learn more at www.curethekids.org.
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation today announced the appointment of Ursula Burns and Jordan Wertlieb as inaugural members of the organization’s new Advisory Board. Burns and Wertlieb offer their exceptional business acumen and experience to PBTF, the largest patient advocacy funder of pediatric brain tumor research.
