Sam Day Foundation
So kids with cancer can survive and live well
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The brutality of cancer treatment is something kids should never have to experience. But in September of 2010, nine-year-old Sam Day was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and relentless bone cancer. He passed away in August 2016 after a difficult six-year battle. During that time Sam’s friends and family learned how and why pediatric cancer research is slow, underfunded, and decades behind the progress of most adult cancer treatments. Cancer remains the leading cause of disease related death in children in the United States. This is why philanthropy and wide scale collaboration is so important for bringing much needed improvements. Advancements will not happen the way they do with adult cancers, therefore international and multi-entity collaborations are essential to make positive change a reality.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Pediatric Cancer Research
Advance research for childhood and young adult cancers, primarily sarcomas and brain tumors. This is done through advocacy, education, awareness, and financial support to well-designed research projects.
Wellness support and experiences
SDF provides wellness gift boxes to young sarcoma or brain tumor patients in the Pacific Northwest, and scholarships to students with a disability or chronic illness. SDF occasionally provides life-giving experiences for kids with cancer or cancer related impairment. Experiences may be unique donated opportunities, or support for kids to engage in summer camp or amputee athletic programs.
Scholarships
Graduating student from Sunset High School in Beaverton , Oregon who had endured long-term disability or illness yet chooses to engage in life to the best of their ability.
Where we work
External reviews

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Our Sustainable Development Goals
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Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Improve overall survival rates for children with pediatric cancer by advancing translational research studies into clinical trials and ultimately, approved therapies for pediatric cancers.
Reduce short-term and long-term adverse effects of pediatric cancer treatment, so young cancer survivors can survive and live well.
Provide essential materials for studying the most neglected and deadly pediatric cancers by funding a tumor registry program.
We believe partnerships with research institutions, corporations, other non-profits, hospitals, drug companies, patient family’s and advocacy groups are essential to advancing research efficiently. We are not simply funders, we are part of a multi-agency effort and a catalysts for change.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We have several fundraising events each year. Our signature event, the Sam Day Soiree gala in February 2020 raised $323,000. Our multiple events create opportunity for anyone to participate regardless of how much they can contribute. Our community is growing rapidly with conviction for this very important cause and we recognize the need especially in Oregon and SW Washington. As we enter our third year, we plan to diversify our revenue through grants, geographical growth, and corporate partnerships.
Program funds are designated to sarcoma and brain tumor research projects of interest. Proposals are carefully evaluated by a Medical Advisory Board and approved by the Board of Directors prior to funding. In these early years, SDF is focused on creating greater opportunity for translational and clinical research in Oregon and SW Washington.
SDF is engaged with several institutions in Oregon and we believe the most effective research will be as a result of patient advocacy, support for clinicians, knowledge of the obstacles and a willingness to dream big and go for it.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Rapid and early growth among our community of supporters, both private and corporate, have allowed us to start strong. We reflect a positive and hopeful vibe, transparency, and strong character in everything we do. We’ve developed relationships with multiple local researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University, the Knight Cancer Institute and Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, and we believe ongoing engagement within each of these partnerships can create movement. Our memberships with the National Organization for Rare Disorders and the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer allow us to partner with other non-profits, advocacy groups and patient families while equipping us with guidance and education.
Sam taught us to dream big, laugh often and live well, and the Sam Day Foundation is a reflection of those values.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In our first year we provided $153,000 to the Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute’s tumor registry program. This program enrolled over 56 new patients representing 25 cancer types. Research for some rare cancers, such as epithelioid sarcoma and clear cell sarcoma, have made progress like never before due to Sam Day Foundation providing the funds for this program. Now families can donate tissue, knowing that someone will finally study it.
We partnered with Camp Ukandu to support a healthy meal program for kids with cancer at camp.
We’ve provided college scholarships to six local students who’ve endured long-term disability or chronic illness.
Looking ahead, we intend to create opportunity for growth in the number of clinical trials available to children in Oregon and SW Washington by supporting local investigator-initiated research as well as large consortia clinical trials.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Sam Day Foundation
Board of directorsas of 02/23/2023
Sarah Friend
The Partners Group
Term: 2022 - 2025
Robert Day
Portland Police Bureau (Retired)
Chris Sarles
Oregon Fruit Products
Tracy Nordyke
Mission Increase Foundation
Nancy Reynolds
Challenged Athletes Foundation
Sarah Friend
The Partners Group
Jae Cho
Oregon Health Sciences University
Lorna Day
Sam Day Foundation
Eric Haskins
JLL
Drew Pinson
Merrill Lynch
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as: