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“It is impossible to win the race unless you venture to run, impossible to win the victory unless you dare to battle.”
– Richard M. DeVos
In today’s world, the race for a CURE is less motivated by “if” than “when.” To the thousands of children who suffer from terminal cancer today, “if” is perceived as a given due to the significant strides made with cancers like acute lymphblastic leukemia (ALL). Survival rates for neuroblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) dramatically lag behind ALL’s lead. Thus,“when” is the critical questions for children like Patrick and Brennan. Will a CURE be established while they still have time?
The Press On Fund began in 2006 with Patrick Chance’s family’s determination to invest in alternative therapies that could immediately be put into action in an effort to cure their son’s neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma currently has no cure; however, there exist many therapies and trials that could represent the next step toward the goal, or perhaps even the goal itself.
In 2009, the Chance family invited Brennan Simkins’ family to join them in the Press On Fund efforts by expanding the mission of Press On to include research for AML. Interstingly, AML is the number 1 secondary childhood cancer developed as a result of treatments given to cure a child’s primary cancer. Yes, current treatment protocols increase a child’s risk of developing secondary cancers. Thus, Patrick Chance’s family were already following AML research when they invited Brennan Simkins’ family to join the Press On Fund.
Survival rates for AML, the most deadly form of childhood leukemia, has stagnated over the past 10 years. New protocols at innovative institutions, however, stand to break this gridlock.
Investment in reaching these goals fuels the race. As a Press On Fund donor, 100% of your contribution is an investment toward this end. We have no rent to pay, no executive staff, just a will to win. Like the Olympic marathon runner, we are equipped with the bare essentials. Anything more is a hindrance. Join the race. Be a participant. Fuel the victory.
