IMPROVING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER THROUGH
RESEARCH ~ SUPPORT ~ AWARENESS ~ CHANGE
The Maynard Childhood Cancer Foundation was created in 2004 to provide much needed funding for research related to the prevention, treatment and ultimate cure of pediatric cancers. Activities quickly expanded to provide quality of life items and coping books for hospitalized patients, along with lobbying for improved childhood cancer legislation, public speaking, awareness campaigns, and blog content to support patients, families, caregivers and friends.
We care about children with cancer and we are here to help!
OUR STORY:
The Maynard Childhood Cancer Foundation began after parents in Richmond, Virginia learned their five year old son (Jake) was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma of the foot. After not only witnessing his painful struggle, but also seeing other children undergo frightening and intense medical care, they were compelled to help. Their resolve strengthened further after learning about the severe lack of childhood cancer research funding and support. Young Jake himself even wanted to get involved to make things better for other kids He has joined in the efforts every step of the way
After only a few months of planning, the first Jake’s Reindeer Race was held in December 2004. The event was a huge success, raising $72,000 with thousands of participants, thus beginning a passion for bringing people together to help kids with cancer. The Foundation became officially incorporated and granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status shortly thereafter.
OUR ACTIVITIES
FUNDRAISING EFFORTS:
Jake’s Reindeer Race is our signature fundraising event and has included thousands of participants, donors and volunteers through the years. We could not be more thankful and genuinely touched by the outpouring of support from our community. We have held six Jake’s Reindeer Races and raised nearly $500,000 from this fun event. Smaller events and fundraising campaigns have also been held to add additional support to our mission. Through the generous contributions of so many we have been fortunate to make a significant difference in the fight against childhood cancer over the years.
We thank the following corporate sponsors and organizations who have been vital to our success: Hunton & Wiliams ~ Richardson & Overstreet ~ Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen ~ Linden Capital ~ Dr. Graham Gardner ~ Holland Family Chiropractic ~ Harris Williams & Co ~ Duff & Cox, DDS ~ Durette Bradshaw ~ Pink Palm ~ CWD Kids ~ Grove Avenue Pharmacy ~ CT Purcell Excavating & Grading ~ Westview Companies ~ Hampton House ~ Stern’s Printing & Engraving ~ Thistles ~ 3 Sports ~ NetEasy ~ Superstars Pizza ~ Whole Foods ~ Little Ceasars ~ Panera Bread ~ Starbucks ~ The Collegiate School ~ Canterbury Community Nursery School ~ Jonathan Austin~ River Road Presbyterian Church ~ Rotary Club of West Richmond
CHILDHOOD CANCER LITERATURE PROGRAM:
We have been thrilled to provide thousands of coping books to young patients and families at local hospitals and organizations throughout Virginia. Books include: Living With Childhood Cancer, Thisbe’s Promise, Little Tree (A Story For Children With Serious Medical Problems), Gentle Willow (A Story For Children About Dying), Imagine A Rainbow (A Child’s Guide For Soothing Pain), What About Me? When Brothers And Sisters Get Sick, and more. We firmly believe that information is crucial to coping with a childhood cancer diagnosis. Books helped us in a tremendous way and in fact, young Jake came up with the idea to start this program.
QUALITY OF LIFE AND COMFORT ITEMS FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS:
We know that children who undergo cancer care are scared and hurting. Every little act of support and love helps a great deal. They are away from home, family, pets and friends. They miss out on activities, school and everyday life while facing frightening, painful battles. We aim to make life a little better for these young boys and girls during this time. For 20+ years, we have consistently gathered toys, pillow pets, blankets, electronics, crafts, games, and other quality of life items to help uplift the spirits of young patients. We have also provided gift cards to families with financial needs and specific requested items in special cases.
We collect donations and provide them to in-patient children throughout the year. If you have items you would like to contribute, please contact Cindy Maynard at (804) 387-0738 or tobermaynard@verizon.net.
LOBBYING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING:
Childhood Cancer is severely underfunded. Conservative estimates place pediatric cancer annual funding at only $30 million while adult cancer funding amounts to $5.6 Billion. Only 4 new drugs have been developed in the past 20 years to help children with cancer. While survival rates have improved, we still lose far too many young children to cancer and 2/3 of those who do survive face lifelong and serious health effects.
We have been privileged to speak on behalf of patients and families facing childhood cancer through lobbying efforts with Senators, Representatives, and Delegates in the United States Congress, Virginia General Assembly and Kentucky General Assembly. We have helped raise awareness and advocated for important legislation and funding through the years. Fortunately, the United States Senate and House of Representatives unanimously passed the STAR (Survivorship, Treatment, Access and Research) Act in 2018 representing the largest childhood cancer initiative to date on the federal level. This promising legislation is to be celebrated, but much work remains to ensure better treatments, cure rates and care for cancer patients and survivors. Continued budgeting for the STAR Act and other helpful childhood cancer legislation must be achieved. We are currently working to attain funding for childhood cancer from the Virginia General Assembly which has finally allowed a small percentage of the state cancer budget for pediatric cancer needs. We now must push for greater percentages for our youngest population of cancer warriors
BLOG – COPING WITH CHILDHOOD ILLNESS:
For support and information, please refer to Coping With Childhood Illnesses at WordPress.com. Subjects addressed include coping strategies, handling logistics, the siblings struggle, advocacy, staying positive, and emotional issues. http://www.copingwithchildhoodillnesses.com
FUNDED RESEARCH
- John Healey, M.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Sarcoma Research Fund, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
- Masoud Manjill, M.D., VCU Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, Virginia
- Pediatric Cancer Research Fund, MCV Foundation, Richmond, Virginia
- Eva Hernando, Ph.D., NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
- Dawn S. Chandler, Ph.D., Children’s Research Institute, Columbus, OH
- Research Fund, CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, Bethesda, MD
- Research Fund, Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Tampa, Florida
PRESS
Some of the articles that have been written about our efforts include:
- Speaking Up On Capitol Hill, by Margaret Nimmo Holland, Richmond Family Magazine, June 1, 2018
- Childhood Cancer Survivor’s Remission A Reason To Celebrate, By Bill Lohmann, Richmond Times Dispatch, April 13, 2015
- Jake’s Reindeer Race, Innsbrook Today, June 2015
- Mooney Serves As Honorary Starter At Jake’s Reindeer Race, (University of Richmond) Richmond Athletics, July 17, 2009
- Jake’s Reindeer Race Taking on Childhood Cancer, by Sean Ryan, All About Kids Magazine, November 2008
- Jake’s Reindeer Race, by Amanda Kellner, V Magazine for Women, December 2008
- Jake’s Reindeer Race, Richmond Magazine, December 2008
- The Amazing Race, Citizen Staff Reports, Henrico Citizen, November 20 – December 3, 2008
- Innsbrook Today Magazine, Jake’s Reindeer Race, June 2005
CHILDHOOD CANCER FACTS
Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children. Approximately 1 in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday. This amount equals about 43 children per day – or two classrooms full of children. Because childhood cancer occurs while children are still growing and developing, most adult treatments are not appropriate or optimal. It is therefore highly recommended that children seek treatment at pediatric cancer specialty centers. From 1972 to 2010, the overall incidence of pediatric cancer in the United States has slightly increased. Furthermore, there are nearly 429,000 childhood and adolescent childhood cancer survivors in the U.S. (as of 2015), with 2/3 experiencing significant, chronic and life-altering side effects from treatment. Much more needs to be done to help our children.
Please contact Cindy Maynard at tobermaynard@verizon.net for more information. Join us in helping kids with cancer!
Maynard Childhood Cancer Foundation 