Going the Extra Mile
The CancerFree KIDS 100 Mile Challenge is more than an athletic goal; it is a lifeline for children battling cancer. This September, participants across the country are walking, running, cycling, swimming, or moving in whatever way they choose to honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The concept is simple but deeply meaningful: commit to 100 miles in 30 days and raise at least $100 to fund groundbreaking pediatric cancer research.
Now, thanks to a new matching gift from the George and Margaret McLane Foundation, every step forward carries twice the weight. Beginning September 4, the Foundation will match the first $10,000 in donations, doubling the impact of every gift up to $1,000. For families facing childhood cancer, this means more research dollars flowing to promising projects, and more hope for gentler, more effective treatments.
“By joining us now and taking advantage of this incredible matching gift, you can double your impact and help give hope to kids who need it most,” said Jill Brinck, Executive Director of CancerFree KIDS.
A Challenge That Connects
Registration is just $25, providing participants with a t-shirt, a personalized fundraising page, and engagement opportunities throughout the month. Individuals can join alone, with a community team, or through their workplace. Beyond the miles, the Challenge is about unity—families walking together, co-workers rallying around a shared mission, and schools teaching students the importance of giving back.
Teams that go above and beyond will have the unique honor of having a 2025 CancerFree KIDS research grant named after them, creating a lasting connection between their efforts and lifesaving discoveries in the lab.
Proven Results Since 2021
Though the Challenge began just four years ago, its reach has already been transformative. Eight research grants have been funded to date, with the 2022 cycle alone drawing an additional $700,000 in outside support. These seed grants help accelerate ideas targeting some of the most stubborn childhood cancers, including high-grade gliomas, acute myeloid leukemia, osteosarcoma, and other aggressive diseases.
CancerFree KIDS focuses on high-risk, high-reward projects that are often overlooked by traditional funding sources. By investing in bold ideas early, the organization ensures that groundbreaking therapies have a chance to move from the lab to clinical application.
Why It Matters
Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States, yet only a fraction of federal cancer research funding is dedicated to pediatric cancers. The CancerFree KIDS 100 Mile Challenge directly addresses this gap by ensuring that promising research ideas do not sit idle. Every dollar and every mile contributes to a future where kids can face brighter outcomes and gentler treatments.
Get Involved
The Challenge runs through September 30, leaving time for new participants to sign up, start logging miles, and rally their communities. With the McLane Foundation’s $10,000 matching gift, there has never been a better time to step up for kids with cancer.
Sign up today, take your first step, and know that every stride you take doubles in impact for children who need it most.