Tampa Nonprofit Expands
National Network to Speed
Pediatric Cancer Research
Pediatric cancer research moves slowly. Not necessarily due to science, but because of structure.
All pediatric cancers are recognized as rare diseases. Patients are dispersed across hospitals nationwide, leaving few institutions with enough cases to conduct clinical research independently. Studies stall while researchers wait for enrollment to reach critical mass.
The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) was built to change that.
The Tampa-based nonprofit is founded on a different philosophy: rare pediatric cancers are not isolated medical events; they are a shared national challenge. That means progress depends on hospitals working together, rather than operating independently.
That philosophy shapes how research is designed and delivered.
Typically, many promising pediatric cancer therapies are available only through clinical trials, and those trials are often limited to a single hospital in the county.
So access can depend on geography. Families may be asked to relocate temporarily or travel long distances to participate. Others may be unable to pursue specific options at all.
NPCF exists to remove that constraint. The nonprofit connects pediatric hospitals through the Sunshine Project, a research consortium connecting hospitals across the country.
Instead of centering trials at a single institution, the consortium allows hospitals to participate in shared studies with aligned enrollment, data collection, and timelines.
Today, 38 pediatric hospitals across the country participate in the network.
The model addresses a central limitation of pediatric oncology, that no single hospital typically treats enough patients to move research forward independently.
By coordinating trials across institutions, researchers can enroll patients more efficiently, reduce duplication, and reach conclusions sooner.
“Our philosophy is simple,” said Jerry Telson, Vice President of Development for NPCF. “Children should not lose access to promising research because of where they live. Collaboration allows us to remove those barriers and move faster for families who do not have time to wait.”
The effects extend beyond research metrics. When trials are shared across a national network, children can often receive treatment closer to home.
Families face fewer disruptions, parents are better able to remain employed, and siblings can stay in school.
A large-scale collaboration like this depends on trust. NPCF consistently earns top ratings from Charity Navigator, including a perfect score for financial responsibility and transparency.
That accountability is essential when hospitals, researchers, and donors are aligning precious resources across a wide network of institutions.
What began as a Tampa Bay-based effort now connects pediatric hospitals across the country. And it’s supported by the community through initiatives like Fashion Funds the Cure, NPCF’s signature fundraising program that brings people together to accelerate lifesaving research.
You can be part of that impact.
Join NPCF at the Fashion Funds the Cure
at the Motor Enclave in Tampa, FL on Saturday, April 18,
and help turn an unforgettable night of fashion
into real momentum for pediatric cancer research.
Buy tickets today at NationalPCF.org/Tampa.
