The PCF – History & Mission…
The (PCF) - Pediatric Cancer Foundation was founded in 1970 – a year before Richard Nixon declared “war” on cancer in 1971. Initially known as the Maxwell Leeds Pediatric Tumor Foundation, it was founded by grateful parents whose son underwent surgery for cancer at Babies Hospital of New York Presbyterian. It is dedicated to raising money for research and parent/patient care for world renowned doctors and institutions.
PCF is not-for-profit and 90% of every dollar received directly supports its mission to fund research and support for families.
The beneficiaries include:
- New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital.
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
- Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders at the NYU Langone Medical Center.
- The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York.
- Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center.
The Boutique:
You can shop for the cure – and get a leg up on your holiday shopping. Wouldn’t it be great to know that most of your shopping is finished BEFORE Black Friday and that your gift-giving spending also is helping to fund a valuable cause? So bring your family and friends and shop ’till you drop – It’s all good.
- The Time: Thursday Nov. 3, 10 AM – 3 PM
- The Place: Brae Burn Country Club, Purchase NY – NOTE NEW LOCATION
- Suggested Admission: $20 (100% of this fee goes to Pediatric Cancer Research)
- For more information: call 914-777-3127 or click here for PCFWeb.org
On a Personal Note:
In a perfect world, we would have all the answers by now – and looking through the rear-view mirror, it may seem that we have made little or no progress since this devastating is alive and well. But looks in this case, are deceiving. As a former biomedical researcher -I can truthfully say that cancer is a tough nut. Far more complex than anything the founders of PCF, Richard Nixon, or even the most renowned cancer specialist in those early days ever imagined. It was simple hubris that made anyone think that a magic bullet for all cancers would be readily found. In those days it was a black box. Over the past 40 years researchers have been able to shine a great deal of light – particularly with respect to pediatric cancer – which has yielded up its secrets far more readily than cancers that tend to manifest later in life. The word “cure” is being used for cancers that were considered a death sentence in the 1970s. Outcomes are hopeful and not grim. But the treatments still have major side effects and the success rate – though much improved, has a long way to go. Instead of being at the finish line of a sprint – research is about half-way through a marathon. Much has been accomplished, but more needs to be done.
© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.
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