Chris Lynch Joins St. Baldrick’s Foundation Board of Directors; Determined to Raise $100M for Pediatric Cancer Research

Serial tech entrepreneur to lead a $100M campaign to galvanize the tech community behind funding research to cure childhood cancers

BOSTON, Mass. (May 17, 2016) – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, has named Chris Lynch to its board of directors. Lynch, a venture capitalist and serial tech entrepreneur, became involved with St. Baldrick’s in 2013 and has been a force in engaging the tech community in Boston around pediatric cancer research through annual St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events. The 2015 event alone raised more than $400,000.

“Chris brings tremendous energy and commitment to everything he does for St. Baldrick’s and we are thrilled to add him to the board,” said Kathleen Ruddy, CEO of St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “Chris does everything big. His plans and goals for fundraising are aggressive and exciting. The impact is very powerful.”

Lynch has over 30 years of success in the tech industry, building startups into market leading companies, and plans to leverage that experience on behalf of St. Baldrick’s. With the assistance of his partner Cort Johnson, and a legion of entrepreneurs volunteering to help conquer childhood cancers, the plan is to launch a series of activities and events across the country and world. These events will include networking, topical technology, business education, music, and more with the purpose of bringing two generations of tech entrepreneurs together to support St. Baldrick’s in finding cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers.

“I am inspired by the strength, courage and optimism of the children and families afflicted with this insidious disease. I am humbled by this great honor and look forward to supporting the selfless researchers and volunteers that work with the passion of purpose,” said Chris Lynch, who is also a co-founder and general partner at the venture capital firm Accomplice.

“This fight can’t be won without getting more people engaged with St. Baldrick’s,” said Cort Johnson, who works with Lynch as the executive director of hack reduce and co-organizes the St. Baldrick’s events in Boston. “We are going to expand our programs in Boston and start growing involvement in tech centers across the globe.”

From those who know Chris well, they believe he’s up for the challenge and ready to motivate the next generation of technology entrepreneurs.

“It’s a lofty and worthy goal,” said Cheng Wu, serial entrepreneur and currently Chairman at APL Software. “And Chris will do it. I learned a long time ago not to bet against him when he puts his mind to something.”

Jit Saxena, serial entrepreneur and angel investor said, “When Chris commits to something, consider it done! This is a tremendous opportunity to impact our future generations of children.”

“It’s inspiring to have Chris lead the next generation of entrepreneurs in a commitment to service,” said Wayne Chang, serial entrepreneur and director of product strategy at Twitter. “While the campaign is ambitious, I know our generation is up for the challenge!”

To learn more about St. Baldrick’s, visit www.StBaldricks.org, and connect on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Vimeo.

About St. Baldrick’s Foundation

As the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation believes that kids are special and deserve to be treated that way. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts who are working to find cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers. Kids need treatments as unique as they are – and that starts with funding research just for them. Join us at StBaldricks.org to help support the best cancer treatments for kids.

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