9 Best Pediatric Cancer Charities to Donate | Full List with Details
Pediatric cancer describes cancer that occurs between birth till the age of 14. About 175,000 children are diagnosed with various types of pediatric cancer every year. Although the decade’s worth of research and the motivation of charities to explore better treatment alternatives has led to 80% cancer survivors compared to a marginal amount in the past.
Technological advancement has been a game changer for the survival rates of kids. These nonprofit organizations are working to provide for the families during and after the treatment for regular check-ups. Since cancer is not known to be completely cured, these aftercare routines are crucial to eliminating the chance of its revival.
Here are the 9 Best Pediatric Cancer Charities to Donate to:
1. Alex’s Lemonade Stand
ALSF was founded in 2005 to provide emotional and financial support to childhood cancer families. Their awareness-raising programs and initiatives have funded more than 1,000 research in 150-plus institutions.
Since their establishment, they have managed to raise more than $250 million for their programs and breakthroughs in the field of pediatric cancer. With a network of strong and renowned partners like Applebee’s, Firebirds, Auntie Anne’s and the ACME Foundation, they are trying their best to raise more money for families worldwide. While they hold a Platinum seal of transparency from GuideStar, Charity Navigator scores them a perfect 4-star rating.
2. The National Children’s Cancer Society
NCCA has provided more than $70 million as direct financial aid to over 47,000 children fighting cancer. This foundation works closely with the oncology treatment centres throughout the United States to have a better reach among families and survivors.
Apart from grants they also help with travel assistance to reduce the financial burden of travel and lodging for families. This fund has a few criteria’s to meet before its approval. Additionally they take into consideration the after care for survivors to help them cope with the physical or cognitive effects of their treatment. They receive a Platinum seal of transparency on GuideStar and hold a 3 star rating on Charity Navigator.
3. Ronald McDonald House Charities
Their mission is to create and support foundational programs that directly impact and improve the health and wellbeing of children and their respective families. They envision a world without cancer with 380-plus programs. Since 1974 they have been providing their services in terms of mobile care apps and homestays.
By working alongside the local community workers that provide much more than just shelters for families travelling. The nutritional meals, educational programs, peer support, enriching family activities and medical care hold together a family during these times.
In 2021 they helped 1.5 million families with overnight stays, this was mainly done with the help of volunteers. Their target programs offer room stays near the hospital, rooms inside the hospital and bring medical care to children through their mobile applications. Charity Navigator rates them a perfect 4-star rating.
4. Family Reach
In 1996, Family Reach was established in New Jersey with the aim of innovating long-term solutions for cancer and collectively impacting larger communities. Their 4 main services are the financial guidebook, resource navigation, emergency relief and financial coaching.
Under the finance area they guide families on reducing costs and providing a list of vetted financially vetted resources to help with the treatments. Under resource navigation they help with guidance on benefits, social security lodging and transport. With their emergency relief they provide grants to applicants for covering the cost of everyday nonmedical expenses like groceries, utility bills and much more.
Till date they have helped more than 61,000 families and partnered up with 855 treatment centers to establish a national presence. They hold a Gold seal of transparency from GuideStar and a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator.
5. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Founded in 1962 by Danny Thomas, his mission was simple, to give back to communities battling cancer and other childhood diseases. This charity provides direct treatment to children in hospitals and provides other resources and services to help the families free of charge.
A part of their funds are allocated for research into gaining a better understanding and for creating solutions to help the families better. Their holiday campaigns were a huge success since volunteers would donate season friendly gifts and items to those in need. This helps the families celebrate every little moment.
Their alliance has expanded to 127 institutions across 57 countries for major breakthroughs and developments. Charity Navigator rates them a 4-star.
6. Cure Childhood Cancer
CURE is a dedicated nonprofit organisation for funding cancer researches and supporting kids and families. Established in 1975 by Dr. Abdel Ragab, till date they have raised more than $38 million funds for research.
About 1,50,000 meals were served within the hospitals under their Open Arms Meals initiative, and $2.4 million funds were provided as grants to families in need. Their outreach programs help with the diagnosis and post navigation.
This help families connect with the experienced parents and form a community for emotional support. Their efficiency gave them a 4 star rating on Charity Navigator and a Gold seal of transparency on GuideStar.
7. The V Foundation
This charity was founded in 1993 by Jim Valvano who was fighting cancer himself. This organization is committed to following on his mission of research and cure for childhood cancer. They work by funding game based research through competitive scientists.
Later the grants are provided to the most promising research project on cancer. Dick Vitale Gala is an annual Gala hosted targeting pediatric cancer research. This Gala hosted in the month of May has attracted over $60 million for its target of achieving victory over cancer. A part of the funds they receive is used for conducting therapy treatments for young kids to help ease the process and health of these kids.
They have been awarded $290 million for research grants from more than 150 institution across 4o stats. Their accountability in using every dollar for research programs has gained them a 4 star rating on Charity Navigator.
8. National Pediatric Cancer Foundation
NPCF was founded in 1991 by Melissa Helms and Risa Tramel to find a cure for pediatric cancer. They focus on less toxic treatments and more effective solutions to battle cancer under their program called Sunshine Project.
Their collaborations with 30 hospitals and leading scientists have allowed them to donate over $30 million in research and fund 38 promising initiatives. The Sunshine project has its own laboratory where in new drug compounds are tested for producing medicines with less side effects to help children cope up easily alongside their ongoing treatment.
GuideStar awarded them with a Platinum seal of transparency while Charity Navigator rates them a clean 4 star.
9. Rally Foundation
RF was established in 2005 by Dean Crowe to fund cancer research programs. They fund these programs to discover new treatments with better cure impact and less side effects on kids. 28% of their funded projects made it to clinical trials, while 59% of them advanced to federal funding.
These achievements have awarded this charity with more than $25 million donations. They focus on investing in all stages of cancer to advocate an in depth study of its roots. furthermore they have an Emergency Fund to help families cope with the financial burden of treatment and hospitals bills.
They hold a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum seal of transparency from GuideStar.
Final Thoughts
Clinical trials have proven a positive impact with their advancements by highlighting the key to improving the survival conditions. The staff members introduce changes in the children’s routine early to enable a smooth transition. Once the communication between the kid and caretaker is established, their daily engagement can provide insightful data to avoid and further complications.
The advocates of the researches play an important role on representing a family’s perspective, sharing their loss and maintaining the quality of life apart from meeting the required goals and target of the treatment. One can either donate to these charities or send them the required items and care packages listed on their website for bring joy inside a hospital room.
