How does Cookies for Kids’ Cancer decide which research grants to fund? It starts with a team of leading medical and scientific experts who reviews every research proposal submitted for funding, with the goal of identifying the studies with the greatest potential to lead to new, improved and less toxic treatments for children with cancer.
Why Expert Review Matters
Funding for pediatric cancer research is limited, which makes every dollar especially important. We want to make sure the funds raised by our supporters are helping advance innovative research with the potential to make a meaningful difference for kids with cancer.
Many cancer treatments used today were originally developed for adults and can cause serious long-term side effects in children. That’s why continued research is so important. Kids need treatments designed with their unique needs in mind.
Our Medical Advisory Board helps make sure funding goes where it can have the greatest impact. Made up of leading experts in pediatric oncology, research and clinical care, the board carefully evaluates each proposal based on its scientific quality, innovation, feasibility and potential to lead to better treatments for children.
Through this rigorous review process, we’re able to support promising research and help move new treatments from the lab toward the kids who need them most.
Meet the Experts Behind the Research
Our Medical Advisory Board, made up of the nation’s top pediatric oncologists, reviews every research proposal submitted for funding and identifies the studies with the greatest potential to lead to new treatments. Every decision is rooted in science, strategy and measurable impact.
Susan Blaney, MD – Distinguished Emeritus Professor, Baylor College of Medicine
Scott Armstrong, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Jimmy Fund
Julia Glade Bender, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Mignon Loh, MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Children’s Hospital
John Maris, MD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Alberto Pappo, MD, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Will Parsons, MD, PhD, Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center
Elliot Stieglitz, MD, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital
How Research Proposals Are Evaluated
Every research proposal submitted to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer undergoes a rigorous scientific review to ensure funding is directed toward projects with the greatest potential to improve outcomes for children with cancer.
Each proposal is evaluated based on key criteria:
- Clinical relevance: Does the project have the potential to translate into a clinical investigation within 12 to 24 months of receiving funding?
- Innovation: Does the research introduce a novel approach with strong scientific merit?
This review process helps ensure that every bake sale, corporate partnership and donation supports the most promising pediatric cancer research, allowing innovative ideas to become tomorrow’s treatments.
Research in Action
One example of research made possible through Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a breakthrough led by Dr. Yael Mossé at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP): a specialized “liquid biopsy” blood test that can track genetic changes in pediatric cancers with greater sensitivity than traditional scans. This innovative approach allows doctors to detect a potential relapse earlier, monitor how well treatments are working and act faster when it matters most.
Beyond earlier detection, this breakthrough could also reduce the need for invasive surgical biopsies and limit children’s exposure to radiation — making cancer care not only more effective but less burdensome for kids and their families.
Another example is the groundbreaking work of Dr. Nicholas Vitanza at Seattle Children’s. In 2020, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer funded his research exploring whether CAR T-cell therapy could be an effective treatment for diffuse midline glioma (DMG), one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat pediatric brain cancers.
That early investment helped generate promising data that contributed to a prestigious seven-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), allowing the research to continue and opening the door to new possibilities for children and families facing this devastating diagnosis.
It’s an example of what community-powered fundraising can make possible. When supporters come together to fund promising research, their impact can reach far beyond a single grant, helping researchers move closer to new treatments that could change the future of pediatric cancer care.
How You Can Help
Every bake sale, corporate partnership and donation helps fund the most promising pediatric cancer studies, leading to new treatments, scientific breakthroughs and better outcomes for children with cancer. By combining the power of community fundraising with a rigorous scientific review process, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer helps ensure every dollar is invested in research with the greatest potential to transform care and improve outcomes for kids.
Ready to get involved and make a difference? Check out our website to learn more.
