Dear friends,
We host Fashion Funds the Cure in honor of our son Theo, who passed away from cancer in October 2016 at 19-months-old. Theo was diagnosed at five-months-old with an aggressive childhood cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma that had metastasized before it was discovered. In 2015, and still now in 2021, no effective treatments exist for metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma. Sadly, the same can be said for many other pediatric cancers.
Every day, 43 children will be diagnosed with cancer, and more than 40,000 children are in treatment every year. In the last 20 years, only four cancer treatments have been specifically developed and approved for children with cancer. The truth is that 1 in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer, and 12% will not survive. When a child dies from cancer, an average of 68 years of life is lost. And unbelievably, pediatric cancer research receives only 4% of the federal government’s funding for cancer research. That’s why pediatric cancers like Theo’s don’t have cures. More research is desperately needed to find better treatments for kids like Theo—the funding of which is largely dependent upon philanthropy.
Fashion Funds the Cure benefits the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF). The NPCF funds pediatric cancer research across a network of more than 30 children’s hospitals throughout the country.
We hope to see you to celebrate the incredible children walking in our fashion show and to fund the research for the better treatments they so desperately need and deserve.
With love and gratitude,
Ricky and Leah Huff, Event Chairs
Join us in supporting a good cause! Raise money for National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support. I've included information about National Pediatric Cancer Foundation below.
The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to research and clinical trials to find less toxic, more effective treatments for childhood cancer. Their purpose is to reduce the side effects of current treatments, improve survival rates, and ultimately eliminate childhood cancer.
Why is this important?
- Each year worldwide, approximately 400,000 children and adolescents of 0-19 years old are diagnosed with cancer.
- More than 95% of childhood cancer survivors have significant health-related issues because of the current treatment options.
- Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children worldwide.
- Each day, 43 kids in the US are expected to be diagnosed with cancer. 1 in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday.
- The NPCF created and governs a collaborative research model focusing on translational studies and phase 0, 1, and 2 clinical trials addressing all types of pediatric cancers.
- We leverage collaboration, both scientific and philanthropic, to identify promising, less toxic, novel therapies to treat and eliminate childhood cancer.
- Through our partnerships, top pediatric cancer specialists are able to collaborate, resulting in the fast-tracking of new treatment options into clinical trials.
- NPCF’s research is affecting treatment protocols worldwide and giving hope to patients and families.