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Our Mission/Programs

The mission of the Maynard Childhood Cancer Foundation is to provide critical funding for research related to the prevention, treatment, and cure of childhood cancer. We strive to support all types of childhood cancer, but we are particularly devoted to improving cure rates and treatments available for children with sarcoma. Sarcoma is one of the most common forms of childhood cancer, but falls far behind in terms of research funding, available treatments, awareness, and cure rates. The Maynard Childhood Cancer Foundation also educates the public about sarcoma and pediatric cancer, in addition to supporting quality-of-life programs for pediatric cancer patients.

Funding is currently supporting the following:

Clinical investigations into orthopeadic oncology and sarcoma under the direction of John H. Healey, M.D., Chief of Orthopeadic Service, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Two research grants through the Sarcoma Foundation of America:

1. Eva Hernando, Ph.D., Department of Pathology - New York University School of Medicine
   Study of the mechanisms of sarcoma progression using mouse models and in vitro manipulation of mesenchymal stem cells.
2. Dawn S. Chandler, Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics - Children's Research Institute
   Developing an accurate genetic model for rhabdomyosarcoma therapy testing.

Our Pediatric Cancer Literature Program will provide the following:

Books will be purchased and provided to pediatric cancer hospitals (initially in Richmond, Virginia) which are written specifically for children with cancer or other serious medical problems. Jake, the inspiration for Jake's Reindeer Race and the reason for which the Maynard Childhood Cancer Foundation was created, found two books especially helpful as he struggled with his painful and frightening cancer experience. Jake wanted to share these books with other kids. To honor his request, we will seek to provide area hospitals with an ample (and hopefully continuous) supply of these books to provide to their pediatric cancer patients free of charge.

We will also provide an ample supply of a wonderful resource guide for parents of kids with cancer - Living With Childhood Cancer: A Practical Guide to Help Families Cope, by Leigh A. Woznick and Carol D. Goodheart.