3rd
Florida has the 3rd largest pediatric population in the U.S.
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- Cancer Bringing Hope Home
Our children deserve world-class cancer care
Let’s bring it home to Jacksonville.
The Challenge Our Children Face
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, their family would go to the ends of the earth for treatment. But they shouldn't have to. Right now, too many Florida families are forced to leave their homes, support systems and trusted medical teams behind to seek specialized cancer treatment out of state.
A Family's Journey
Meet Lily Aparicio, a brave seven-year-old from Palm Coast. After battling leukemia for two years at Wolfson Children's Hospital, Lily rang the "End of Treatment" bell in August 2024. But just six days later, her cancer returned. Like many Florida families, the Aparicios had to travel nearly 1,000 miles to a top-10 nationally ranked children's hospital for specialized CAR T-cell therapy unavailable in their home state.
"Learning of Lily's relapse and having to leave the incredible support of Wolfson Children's and Nemours Children's Health to seek treatment so far from home has been one of the hardest challenges of this journey."
-- Lily's mother, Chrissie
Florida's Pediatric Cancer Care: By the Numbers
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Florida doesn't have a top 25 ranked pediatric cancer program
50%
Half of relapsed cases require treatment unavailable in Florida
6%
6% of all new pediatric cancer cases nationwide are in Florida
10%
10% of children with rare and aggressive cancers must seek care out of Florida
55%
Over half our pediatric patients rely on Medicaid
Our Vision for Florida's Future
Wolfson Children’s has united with 3 other specialty children’s hospitals in Florida to reach an ambitious goal:
To establish all four hospitals among the nation's top 25 for pediatric cancer care.
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What We've Achieved
✔️ Advanced bone marrow transplant programs
✔️ Florida's only MIBG program for neuroblastoma
✔️ Upcoming gene therapy treatments
✔️ Two Florida hospitals ranked in the nation's top 50 for pediatric cancer care -
What We Need
🔲 Increased funding for research & program development
🔲 Investment in infrastructure and emerging technologies
🔲 Resources to attract top-tier specialists & researchers
🔲 Support to expand access to clinical trials & novel therapies
Community Support Growing to Keep Families Together
Our goal of becoming a top-quartile pediatric cancer program is not just about providing cutting-edge treatments; it's about keeping families together during their most challenging moments.
Community support is already building, with several Jacksonville families and foundations pledging their support
Catalyst Leaders Igniting Change
Together, philanthropy from these friends totals nearly $6 million.
- Borowy Family Charitable Foundation
- Melanie & Morgan Busby
- Jack & Betty Demetree Family Foundation
- Nassim & Dana Elias
- Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation
- Mel & Debbie Gottlieb
- Diane & Steve Halverson
- The Snyder Family
- Martin & Cynthia VanTrieste
Additionally, an anonymous donor, in partnership with St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church, has pledged to match all gifts dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000 through December 31, 2024. This matching challenge is in memory of Leo Stevenson, who lost his battle to cancer at a young age, and in honor of the Stevenson and Carantza families.
Health Care Excellence Brings Economic Impact
Investment does more than just help individual families—it creates a ripple effect of benefits throughout our region.
- Creation of high-income jobs in the medical sector
- Enhanced technology ecosystem
- Increased medical tourism
- Multiplied return on investment through additional grants and funding
- Strengthened position as a leader in pediatric health care
Leaders of Florida’s Specialty Hospitals for Children welcomed First Lady Casey DeSantis, Representative Sam Garrison, Secretary Jason Weida of the Agency for Health Care Administration and Deputy Chief of Staff Katie Strickland to Wolfson Children's Hospital on December 16, 2024, to discuss advancing pediatric cancer care in Florida.
Join Our Mission
Every child deserves access to world-class cancer care close to home. Together, we can ensure that no Florida family has to choose between receiving the best care and staying near their support system. Your support can help bring hope home to countless families facing childhood cancer.
Help us bring world-class pediatric cancer care to Florida!
Support our Mission Now