CancerFree KIDS (CFK) was founded in 2002 by Cincinnati native Ellen Flannery after her infant daughter Shayna was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer. Shayna was able to recover successfully, but Ellen was shocked to find how underdeveloped pediatric cancer research was and how limited the treatment options were.
“Helping kids with cancer is a mission people are generally eager to get behind,” CancerFree KIDS Executive Director Jill Brinck remarks. ”But most people don’t realize the reality of what it’s like to have a child diagnosed with cancer.”
Determined to change the situation, Ellen founded CancerFree KIDS to fill the funding gap for researchers.
“For researchers, early-stage funding is virtually impossible, despite the desperate need for new ideas for novel ways to treat pediatric cancer,” Jill explains. “We are the catalyst to help researchers try these new ideas and get proof of concept data so they can apply for further funding.”
Their unique funding model awards grants directly to researchers, facilitated through their New Idea Awards and Accelerator Awards. The CancerFree KIDS Scientific Review Council, comprising scientists from the nation's top oncology institutions, reviews the grants and identifies the most promising projects to fund. Both awards help scientists launch research and advance projects that show significant potential.
Since 2002, CancerFree KIDS has funded $12.5 million in 265 research grants, resulting in more than $124 million in follow-on grant funding, 26 clinical trials, 66 patents, 376 scientific publications, and four startup companies. They are also leading funders of early-stage pediatric cancer research at both Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
“We’re fortunate in Ohio to have two of the top pediatric oncology hospitals in the country right in our backyard,” Jill remarks. “Cincinnati is such a special community, one that is really philanthropic and mission focused. We’ve been fortunate to build a strong community of supporters here.”
CFK “Champion” families (families they serve who have been impacted by childhood cancer) are at the heart of everything they do. The Champion program brings impacted families together by creating a support group community.
“One of the best parts of my job is getting to connect with Champion families,” Jill tells us. ”We’ve celebrated along with families when their kids ring the bell to finish their cancer treatment. We’ve also walked alongside families grieving their children. We've learned from the children and families that cancer never defines who they are. Every child has their own unique story, interests, talents and dreams.”
CancerFree KIDS hosts several exciting annual fundraising events, including the Butterfly Walk at the Cincinnati Zoo, Night for the Fight for high school-age students, the 100 Mile Challenge and more. They also have many families, organizations and businesses that host community events to benefit CancerFree KIDS throughout the year.
The 100 Mile Challenge, taking place this month, is a 30-day fitness and fundraising challenge started in 2021 as a virtual campaign for September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It has since become one of their biggest campaigns of the year.
“It’s been a lot of fun to see the growth of the Challenge over the past few years,” Jill shares. “We have corporate teams, community groups, neighborhood teams, families and individuals all getting involved. We make it very accessible so that virtually any activity will count.”
The CancerFree KIDS 2026 100 Mile Challenge Champion is 11-year-old Graham, who was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia when he was just four years old. He's been cancer-free since October 2022.
"We hope Graham's story inspires others to support childhood cancer research so kids in the future who face a diagnosis have better, more gentle treatments," Graham's parents, Mike and Morgan Schroth, comment.
This year, CFK's goal is to raise $1 million that will directly fund novel, life-saving childhood cancer research grants. Anyone can sign up for the 100 Mile Challenge. To learn more about the 100 Mile Challenge, volunteer and donation opportunities, visit CancerFreeKids.org.
The CancerFree KIDS 100 Mile Challenge
September 1-30, 2026
The 100 Mile Challenge is a 30-day fitness and fundraising challenge in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. To complete the 100 Mile Challenge, participants sign up to accomplish 100 miles of any activity and raise or donate at least $100. Participants can compete as individuals or create a team with family, friends or community members.
Approved activities include:
- Running
- Biking
- Walking
- Pickleball
- Gardening
- Yoga and many more!
Registration is $25 for an individual or $75 for a family. It includes a personal fundraising page, t-shirt and access to the 100 Mile Challenge Facebook Group, where participants can plan to meet up to work toward their challenge and fitness goals.