“Throughout this unprecedented 2020, Maggie’s Mission stands united and driven to finding a cure for pediatric cancer.
And with an exciting matching grant opportunity, we are so close to raising $1 million for pediatric cancer research. ”
Every year, nearly 16,000 children, teens, and young adults in the United States are diagnosed with cancer. In 2016, our daughter, Maggie, became one of those affected. She passed away on June 1, 2017, from a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer called malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT). Through our foundation, Maggie’s Mission, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, love, and generosity that is impossible to forget.
We know Maggie would share our tremendous pride in the foundation, which funds innovative pediatric cancer research at MSK Kids, the pediatric program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Together with family and friends, we have raised nearly $1 million exclusively for pediatric cancer research since we lost Maggie.
Today we ask you to help us reach our goal of raising $1 million for MSK Kids by the end of this year.
Maggie’s Mission supports MSK physician-researcher Alex Kentsis, MD, PhD whose groundbreaking scientific discoveries and developments are bringing hope to families everywhere whose children are diagnosed with MRT. Your support of Maggie’s Mission has helped Dr. Kentsis:
Initiate a comprehensive research program to define the fundamental causes of MRT and develop life-changing therapies
Investigate what drives rhabdoid tumor cell survival to reveal a new set of therapeutic targets
Dr. Kentsis studies genetic mutations, which can cause cancer, and epigenetics, which determines how genes express themselves. He has identified a mutation in a gene known as PGBD5 that plays an essential role in triggering rhabdoid tumors and therefore offers a therapeutic target. A drug that can disrupt this genetic malfunction may eliminate cancer. Maggie’s Mission is supporting Dr. Kentsis in his goals to develop therapies that outsmart PGBD5 as well as find additional drug targets in rhabdoid tumors. Since PGBD5 exists in most childhood, and some adult, solid tumors, his work promises far-reaching impact on families everywhere.
This year, our world was changed dramatically by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced us to stay home to protect ourselves and our loved ones, but the kids and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis did not have that luxury. They were still struggling getting to appointments, managing treatments, and the stress of having a deadly virus on top of a cancer diagnosis. We’ve thought a lot about how much harder things would have been for Maggie and for our family if she were diagnosed during these unprecedented times.
We miss you so much Maggie, and we will not stop until cures are found.
Cancer has not stopped for COVID-19 — and neither will we. Although we have had to cancel some of our fundraising events to keep our wonderful community safe during the pandemic, pediatric cancer research can't afford a drop in support because kids are still being diagnosed with cancer every day. We are relentless in this effort. And we will not slow our momentum to build a brighter future for kids with cancer. In fact, we have very exciting news to share. To accelerate advances at MSK Kids, friends and supporters of MSK will match Maggie’s Mission donations up to a total of $50,000 through December 14, 2020. In memory of Maggie, and in honor of our progress together, we ask you to renew your support for the foundation.
Double your impact today — and help us reach our goal of $1 million raised for MSK Kids.
