Rally Foundation and St. Baldrick's Foundation History One phone call can change your destiny. In 2005, a phone rang at the fledgling St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Kathleen Ruddy, the Executive Director, answered. On the other end was Dean Crowe, the Founder and CEO of the newly formed Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (Rally). Childhood cancer is a small community, but the two women had not yet met. Over a series of conversations, they learned their organizations had been formed in the same spirit, with similar philosophies and strategies, and most importantly, with a shared goal to fund the best childhood cancer research, wherever it takes place. Dean and Kathleen began consulting one another frequently – sharing successes and failures. Both organizations structured their grant application and scientific peer-review processes similarly, based upon the guidance of experts and the NCI model. They also participated in several collaborative efforts within the childhood cancer community. As both organizations grew, Rally and St. Baldrick’s were supportive of each organizations respective programs. St. Baldrick’s referred runners to Rally’s half marathon training teams and Rally sent shavees to St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events. Through the years, Kathleen and Dean became trusted colleagues. The organizations saw their support base spread rapidly across the country at the same time. Both agreed, “One day we’ll work together.” In 2011, Kathleen’s phone rang again. Dean, on the other end, simply remarked, “It’s time.” What followed was the development of a plan to introduce the supporters of each organization to one another. After all, runners know people who would like to shave and shavees know people who would like to run! Our partnership was announced with the designation of six half marathons in 2012 that St. Baldrick’s and Rally supporters may participate in to benefit life-saving childhood cancer research. How will the funds be applied to research? It’s simple! Since organizations have structured their grant processes similarly, a highly competitive scientific peer-review system, funds raised between April and September will be co-funded through St. Baldrick’s grant and funds raised between October and March will be co-funded through Rally’s grant. Each organization will have the opportunity to allow its own scientific medical advisory board review the grants selected for co-funding. Both organizations are excited to have their supporters Rally On and be heroes for kids with cancer. Together we will achieve better treatments and ultimately cures for kids with cancer. Let’s Conquer! “It is exciting and encouraging to see Rally and St. Baldrick’s, two like-minded foundations, come together to provide ways for grassroots supporters to raise funds for leading pediatric cancer research across the country. Through a competitive peer review process, this partnership will streamline the grant application process for researchers and aid in bridging the gap in research funding. This collaboration will generate positive steps toward finding better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and, one day, a cure.” Dai H. Chung, M.D. Chair, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research Medical Advisory Board Janie Robinson & John Moore Lee Endowed Chair Professor and Chairman, Department of Pediatric Surgery Professor, Department of Cancer Biology Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt With a weakened economy and a consequential decline in funding for biomedical research, critical investigations into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer are in serious jeopardy. Fortunately partnerships between community benefit organizations dedicated to childhood cancer allow greater economies of scale and the assurance the best research can still be funded. As a veteran of 6 marathons as well as a shavee, I am so pleased that these two vital organizations are teaming up to understand and ultimately cure childhood cancer. Jeffrey M. Lipton, MD, PhD Chair, St. Baldrick’s Foundation Scientific Advisors Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Medicine, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine