The Carson Leslie Foundation has an ambitious goal to bring less toxic treatment, leading to a cure, for pediatric medulloblastoma, the most prevalent brain cancer in children.

The Carson Leslie Foundation has a strategic plan to cure childhood medulloblastoma by incentivizing research in some of the most promising, yet underfunded areas of research.

Launched in 2010, the Carson Leslie Foundation (CLF) honors Carson’s last whispered wish: “momma, make sure they study those tumors in my brain because if those tumors can help some kid someday not die from cancer like I am, I’d like that – please help the next kid with cancer, it’s hard to have cancer.” – Carson Leslie Today, the Carson Leslie Foundation is a valued collaborator in the pediatric cancer space. As our work grows, our goal is to be come the go-to source for information for medulloblastoma. A recent article by the Dallas Morning News Article, published October 2019, highlighted our work with Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas CPRIT, a $6 billion cancer research institute and the largest state sponsored cancer research institute in the United States, focusing on expediting innovation in cures and prevention. “CPRIT has funded ground-breaking cancer research and prevention programs in Texas, making our state a leader in the fight against this deadly disease…. CPRIT also brings people together who are dedicated to the same cause, such as Annette Leslie. … Annette Leslie formed the Dallas-based Carson Leslie Foundation and was invited to join CPRIT’s Patient Advisory Council on Childhood Cancers. Through her advocacy, CPRIT has expanded its role in pediatric cancer, including a $3.2 million program to fund research directed at less toxic treatments for childhood brain cancer.”

We measure our progress by advances made in pediatric cancer research. Our founder serves on the CPRIT Advisory Counsel for Childhood Cancers. Thanks to The Carson Leslie Foundation’s involvement, CPRIT has increased the proportion for Childhood Cancer from barely 3% to 12% of CPRIT’s overall $3 billion portfolio. CPRIT provides a local source of world-class expertise in pediatric brain cancer and exponential match funding to magnify the impact of the Carson Leslie Foundation’s own resources.

On January 12th and 13th, 2020, CPRIT and the Carson Leslie Foundation will hold the first gathering of top researchers focused only on childhood brain cancer. This inaugural group will meet to discuss, identify and encourage collaboration within the childhood brain cancer space. The outcome of Researcher’s RoundUp will help frame CPRIT'S Childhood Brain Cancer RFA’s.