A full 100% of the funds donated to Tackle Kids Cancer, supported since its outset in 2015 by Eli Manning and the New York Giants, stay in New Jersey and directly impact pediatric cancer research, survivorship programs, and care and support for patients and their families

​​A cancer diagnosis can be devastating for a child and his or her family — but there is cause for hope. Research has transformed survival for children and young people with cancer: In the last 40 years, the overall survival rate for childhood cancer has increased from 10% to more than 85% today. But for many more rare childhood cancers, the survival rate remains much lower.

Established in 2015, Tackle Kids Cancer is a philanthropic initiative that raises money for pediatric cancer research and patient care programs at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center (Hackensack) and Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center (Neptune).

“Tackle Kids Cancer is committed to finding new answers that will help every child and family affected by cancer,” said Derek Hanson, section chief, Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. “The research Tackle Kids Cancer is supporting impacts treatment, improves survival rates and reduces long-term side effects that many young survivors experience.”

Tackle Kids Cancer’s quest to discover cures for pediatric cancer begins in the lab. Here, scientists and researchers investigate at a cellular level the causes and treatments of various pediatric cancers. Tackle Kids Cancer is unique in that many of its researchers also are physicians; their work, funded by Tackle Kids Cancer, takes place at Hackensack Meridian Health’s acclaimed Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI). With their breadth of experience and knowledge, Tackle Kids Cancer researchers and physicians have the opportunity to provide true “bench to bedside” research — where they can investigate causations and treatments in the lab, and develop a clinical usage for patients in the hospital.

Established as a philanthropic initiative that raises money for pediatric cancer research and patient care programs, Tackle Kids Cancer is unique in that many of its researchers also are physicians.

Cancer Research Impact 

Tackle Kids Cancer’s investment in life-saving research is making a significant impact.

Recent examples include:

The Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital provides expert care to children with brain and spinal cord tumors; 12 clinical trials are offered, aided by funds raised through Tackle Kids Cancer. In 2020, Tackle Kids Cancer also supported the opening of a lab focused on pediatric neuro-oncology at CDI. This lab, led by Dr. Hanson and surgeon-scientist Dr. Timothy Vogel, meets the clinical and research needs of children with central nervous system tumors. Specifically furthering the much-needed research in Embryonal Tumor with Multilayered Rosettes, an aggressive brain tumor with a less than 10% survival rate.

Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital recently was selected to join the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC), the premiere research group for pediatric brain tumors. As a member of the PNOC, the hospital is participating in a groundbreaking clinical trial studying the treatment of high-grade glioma (HGG), an aggressive, fast-growing type of brain tumor.

“Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital is one of only 12 hospitals in the country to offer this trial — and the only center in the New York metropolitan area. Tackle Kids Cancer supporters’ investment in our research helped lead us to becoming a PNOC hospital, which allows us to offer important clinical trials like this one,” Dr. Hanson said.

‘Donate to Celebrate’ This Holiday Season

Every donation to Tackle Kids Cancer calls for a celebration: 100% of Tackle Kids Cancer funds stay in New Jersey and directly impact pediatric cancer research, survivorship programs, and care and support for patients and their families. Meanwhile, the organization’s funded research extends globally — making a positive difference for children around the world.

How can you help? This holiday season, Tackle Kids Cancer supporters can “Donate to Celebrate” — and participating in this campaign could not be easier:

• Donate to Tackle Kids Cancer at tacklekidscancer.org.
• Share your donation and “celebration dance” with Tackle Kids Cancer on social media. Just post your celebration online (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter) and be sure to tag the post #DonatetoCelebrateTKC.
• Show your enthusiasm — and commitment — by encouraging friends, family, co-workers and classmates to make their own donations.

Each week until the end of the year, Tackle Kids Cancer will share the “Celebration of the Week” on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.