Let’s Dig Deep

Because of the success of St. Baldrick’s volunteers, as recently as 2008 we had enough money to fund every scientifically approved research proposal we received, and then some. We put the extra funds toward helping local institutions with the resources they needed to help make more clinical trials available for kids in their local areas.

One of the many things St. Baldrick’s has changed is that every year we see a big increase in the number of excellent childhood cancer research proposed by top-notch scientists. More researchers are thinking outside the box, coming up with projects that can help find new cures and change treatments so that they save lives while doing less long-term damage to young bodies and minds.

Not only is the number of grant applications increasing dramatically, so is the quality of that research.

That’s all exciting! What’s troubling is that last June, when we were so proud to have raised enough to make $23 million available for grants, we had $33 million in research projects that would have been approved for funding based on their scientific merit.

So while $23 million in research was funded – and couldn’t have been without you – another $10 million worth of great research had to be put on hold. And this at a time when federal funding for research is drying up.

I’ve been plagued all year by the thought of what might have happened had we been able to fund some of those projects. What research milestones are being delayed? Whose child might we have saved?

This month our experts are scoring more research grant applications than we’ve ever received. And again, I’m both excited and worried.

I’m warmed by the passion of our shavees, the dedication of our volunteer event organizers, the commitment of our volunteers and the generosity of our donors. But I also know that while we are all doing our best for the kids, we are substantially behind our fundraising progress for the same time last year. This feels like this is a year when we’ll all have to work harder to raise each dollar.

What I want to impress upon you is this: These research proposals make me realize that every hour invested by a volunteer and every dollar raised or donated is precious. Every action and every penny makes a difference.

Lifesaving childhood cancer research happens because of you and all of your fellow volunteers. And with so much exciting potential to save lives, we simply have to do our very best.

Please raise your goal, recruit a new shavee, ask your friends and family to dig a little deeper for the kids – ask them to give up that coffee each week, dinner out on Friday night, or brown bag their lunch – whatever it takes to ensure that every dollar possible will be there this June to give infants, children, teens and young adults with cancer long and healthy lives.

Together, let’s dig deep.

In your service,

Kathleen Ruddy
Chief Executive Officer

P.S.  Take a look at the first grants to be granted for 2013 — Summer Fellows!