In 2013, I learned that the 20-month-old son of my friends, Michael and Melissa Wiggins had been diagnosed with neuroblastoma. That began my education about the horrific tragedy of pediatric cancer. The Wiggins were shocked to learn how few treatment options have been discovered for pediatric cancer over the last half century. They resolved to do something so that parents would not have to hear with distressing frequency that “there are no more options” for treating their child. To achieve their ambitious goal, Mike and Melissa started the CKc Foundation. Its mission is to raise funds to support research on immune based therapy rather than chemotherapeutic (meaning toxic) drug development. CKc concentrates on immune based therapy because of the awful disabilities that children, who survive the first bout with cancer, experience from the adult cancer therapy they receive. Far too many children die of a secondary cancer caused by the treatment used to “cure” the first cancer.
About 4 years ago I was asked to join the CKc Board. It has quickly become one of my passions. In its reasonably short existence, CKc has already gained notoriety among the nonprofit community where it is based in Orlando. Our Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of incredibly gifted medical scientists who have committed their careers to finding cures for pediatric cancer. In 5 years CKc has raised close to $3 million for cancer research.
Normally CKc hosts an annual Gala in Orlando. Last year’s Gala that was held just before the COVID shutdown, raised slightly more than $600,000. A large in-person Gala is not possible this year. Consequently, about 40-50 friends of CKc, have agreed to host small in-person or virtual “parties” with the goal of raising one million dollars collectively.
The parties will all be held on April 24. Many of you will recognize that as Clare’s birthday. When I told Clare about the conflict in dates, there was no hesitation on her part to decide which was more important. That priority is driven home to us every day as we look at our grandchildren, and we think of the number of parents and grandparents we have met through CKc who have lost a child to cancer.
If you cannot join us, please consider making a donation.