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).

According to the statistics from The American Cancer Society, about 10,470 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2022. Although childhood cancer rates have been rising for the past few decades, only 4% of federal spending is used for advanced pediatric cancer research. This represents a fraction of the funding for other single adult cancer subtypes.

It has become more important than ever for health care institutions, patients, families, community members and childhood cancer organizations to join together to increase awareness — and raise funds — for pediatric cancer research, treatments and finding a cure.

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).

Eli Manning with Tackle Kids Cancer patients.

“Our community supporters are the heart and soul of Tackle Kids Cancer – it is a team effort to ensure that children and their families have access to the care and resources they need. Every dollar raised helps further our mission to find a cure for pediatric cancer,” said Al Gillio, M.D., director, Hackensack Meridian Children’s Cancer Institute. “To date, Tackle Kids Cancer has raised more than $20 million to support its vital mission.”

‘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 Kid Cancer will share the “Celebration of the Week” on its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

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.

Making an Impact

By raising awareness and funds, Tackle Kids Cancer helps pediatric patients that are in treatment today – while funding discoveries to keep children healthy long into the future. Donations made to Tackle Kids Cancer directly benefit children and families in a number of ways, including:

Clinical Care and Support. Tackle Kids Cancer funding supports more than 100 clinical trials and a variety of innovative clinical programs at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital. Tackle Kids Cancer’s campaign is committed to treating the whole child and family. The organization invests in critical psycho-social programs, including social work, child life and sibling support.

Groundbreaking Research. 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.

Survivorship. Tackle Kids Cancer provides support throughout pediatric cancer treatment and considers the future needs of patients through its unique survivorship program, Cure and Beyond. The program confronts the lasting health, emotional and social issues that affect pediatric cancer survivors. Cure and Beyond’s staff of physicians, nurses, social workers and educators offer an array of services for cancer survivors.