National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Inc.

We accomplish our mission through our research initiative, the Sunshine Project (SP). SP is an innovative collaboration among more than 20 hospitals nationwide. The need for new therapies for children battling cancer is dire. Currently, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease among children under the age of 15 in the United States. Worldwide, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Childhood cancer occurs regularly, randomly, and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class, or geographic region. In the United States, the incidence of cancer among adolescents and young adults is increasing at a greater rate than any other age group, except those over 65 years. Survival comes with a cost. Ninety five percent of pediatric cancer survivors develop at least one chronic health condition because treatments are so harsh. That is why our Sunshine Project exists – to find less toxic, more targeted therapies for children battling cancer.

The Sunshine Project's current research initiatives are:
Clinical Research: SP has various open initiatives at present: various Sarcoma Trials, a Brain Tumor trial for newly diagnosed pediatric high-grade gliomas, Phase 1 trial for patients with relapsed or refractory Ewing sarcomas, and various non treatment trials.
Total Cancer Care Program: Opened first pediatric blood and tissue banking program in Florida.
Translational Research: Our Sunshine laboratory at Moffitt Cancer Center has performed drug screenings against 6 different diseases that impact children and adolescents. They have tested over 180 unique, individual agents so far, at multiple concentrations. For these individual agents, they have screened over 300 combinations of agents at various concentrations based on published references. In addition to the important task of finding new treatment regimens for these diseases, we use cutting edge technology available to investigate the molecular biological mechanisms underlying these cancers.

NPCF Strategic Plan -
Goal 1: Grow efficient/ effective / ROI core programs and services
Goal 2: Deliver a strong and visible brand that engages key audiences in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Goal 3: Provide comprehensive fundraising models that bolster the NPCF brand and utilizes personalized engagement with donors of all types and sources.
Goal 4: Enhance and strengthen NPCF's infrastructure and top quality workforce to support program and services.

Strategic Priority #1: Grow efficient / effective ROI core programs and services.
Strategic Priority #2: Develop a strong and visible brand that engages key audiences in the fight against pediatric cancer
Strategic Priority #3: Develop comprehensive fundraising models that bolster the NPCF brand and utilizes personalized engagement with donors of all types & sources, with the objective of continually moving them to more significant philanthropic commitments.
Strategic Priority #4: Continually develop and strengthen NPCF's infrastructure and top-quality workforce to support programs and services

Priority #1: A. Sunshine Project- enhance research through funding and stakeholders B. "Education & Awareness" - continue platform that provides relevant disease and system content for patients and families impacted by pediatric cancer. C. Continue providing "Safety Net" program that provides financial support for patients and families battling cancer. D Cause Campaigns - continue the creative , entrepeneurial spirit and execution.
Priority #2: A. Continue to build brand as nation's most effective nonprofit fighting pediatric cancer and helping people live healthier lives through research, educations and awareness. B )Increase constituent's engagement across all channels, including digital platforms, events, and public relations.
Priority #3: A. Consistent evaluation of fundraising models and relationships and explore possible new partnership opportunities. B. Identify and expand legacy donors. C. Identify new areas of support outside the cancer community. D. Build strategic partner engagement relationships to convert customers and other partners to donors.
Priority #4: A. Continue to recruit / develop top quality work force through continuous improvement of a HR system that incorporates recruitment, training, competitive compensation, recognition, performance measurement and succession planning. B. Ensure efficient systems and office operations and alignment with changing management strategies and objectives. C. Sustain and maintain CRM & IT infrastructure to support and advance all organizational priorities in a timely and efficient manner.

Not only does NPCF have multiple open trials and studies but we have
1. finalized and published the following trials:
a.Phase I Trial of Dose Escalation of Metformin in Combination with Vincristine, Irinotecan, and Temozolomide in Children with Relapsed or Refractory Solid Tumors
b. Combining ESR1 expression/activation with gp130 inhibition in osteosarcoma.
c. Relapsed Acute Lynphoblastic Leukemia Trial
d. Phase 1 Topotecan and Sorafenib in Relapsed or Refratory Solid Tumors

2. During this past year, The NPCF Sunshine Project Research Laboratory at Moffitt Cancer Center -
a. Has performed drug screening against 6 different diseases that impact children and adolescents – Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS), Ewing Sarcoma, Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNST), Osteosarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), and Leiomyosarcoma. Altogether, we have thus far characterized two ASPS cell lines, four Ewing Sarcoma cell lines, five MPNST cell lines, six Osteosarcoma cell lines, four RMS lines, and two leiomyosarcoma lines, for a total of 23 individual sarcoma models.
b. We have tested over 180 unique, individual agents so far, at multiple concentrations. From these individual agents, we have screened over 300 combinations of agents at an average of 25 different concentrations for each combination. In other words, we have obtained data for over 7500 different two-drug regimens altogether across these 6 diseases.
c. In addition to the important task of finding promising new treatment regimens for these diseases, we use cutting edge technology available at our Molecular Genomics Core to investigate the molecular biological mechanisms underlying these cancers.

3. Created a very qualified and reputable clinical trial Oversight Committee to increase the safety and reporting mechanism for Sunshine Project Trials.

4. Since 2010, we have conducted ten successful Annual Retreats for doctors, coordinators, NPCF Board members and donors to discuss new trials and research projects, as well as opening avenues of communication and trust.

5. During the past years National Pediatric Cancer Foundation has invested more than $26 million into our CORE program activities.

6. 88% of our operating expenses are directly related to our program services.