Join host Feldman Ruel for a special afternoon of a light buffet, beer, wine, steeplechase racing, contests and more at the 100th running of the Virginia Gold Cup Steeplechase, on May 3, 2015, at Great Meadow, in The Plains, Virginia!

A private railside tent will be the location to mingle, make wagers, and watch the races, all while contributing to CCF’s efforts to help children fighting cancer! Learn more about CCF’s forty-year dedication to local childhood cancer research and programs.

Thanks to the efforts of CCF Board member Christopher Chadwick and Feldman Ruel, CCF benefits from your support of this event. Your commitment enables critical research to continue and assures better outcomes and treatments for a young cancer patient. Meet some of these inspiring heroes.

Parking/Transportation:
Your ticket includes shuttle transportation from two Metro Stations: Bethesda and Tysons. Parking at Great Meadow in extremely limited. We have reserved a limited number of parking spots available at the venue’s price of $100. If you choose to drive, be sure to add the parking option to your ticket purchase. If you plan to be dropped off via friend or car service, you will need a drive-in pass, which you can purchase directly from the Virginia Gold Cup site.

WHAT: The Virginia Gold Cup Benefit Event for CCF
WHEN: May 3, 2025 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WHERE: Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains, VA 20198

The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CCF) is grateful to McCormick & Company for their generosity for more than 20 years. Through the efforts of CCF Board Member and Vice President of Regional Sales at McCormick, Prakash Shan, CCF received a generous donation from McCormick as part of our relationship. McCormick & Company and its employees continue to give back to communities where they live, work, and operate.

CCF relies on individuals and local businesses like McCormick to raise the funds that directly support critical local pediatric cancer research and programs. CCF President Tasha Museles added, “it is so meaningful to collaborate with such a landmark local corporation like McCormick. Their commitment to supporting local nonprofits like CCF enables us to continue our mission.”

Since joining the Board, Prakash has been instrumental in strengthening CCF’s relationship with McCormick, and we look forward to funding better treatments and cures for children’s cancer together.

Last summer, I received an important message from Jeff Toretsky, M.D., Chair Emeritus of the CCF Scientific Advisory Board.
It was an important reminder – why CCF continues to do what we do every day.

The message noted:
“It is a pleasure to share this paper with you that CCF had a significant role in the earliest parts of this project. Without Shirley’s support from roughly 2000-2004, this clinical trial would not have happened. This early, critical, support allowed us to make progress on an idea most said was impossible. Scientists and doctors called our target ‘undruggable’ and there was no belief that our idea would get traction. This paper is the culmination of the past almost 25 years of work. I am grateful for the contributions and continued support of CCF for improving the care of pediatric, adolescent, and young adults with cancer.”

In the article, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the flagship journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, CCF is acknowledged as an early and critical funder in the success of a clinical trial:

“We are grateful and thankful to all study participants and their families for willing to participate in, to our knowledge, a first-in-human clinical trial. The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc. supported J.A.T. in the earliest phases of experiments that led to the discovery of YK-4-279, without which this clinical trial might not have happened; for this, we are grateful.”

This phase I/II clinical trial provides proof of concept that fusion oncoproteins can be targeted with manageable side effects. This research demonstrates that the challenges in biomarker development and pharmacologic delivery can be overcome, resulting in either the preferable oral dose formulation or less frequent IV dosing that is easier for patients to receive.

Dr. Toretsky is leader on the team who discovered YK-4-279 and part of the group that moved the clinical trial forward to help treat Ewing Sarcoma. While I do not fully understand the science behind the success of this drug, I do understand the importance of investing early and investing often in pediatric cancer research.

While survival rates for many pediatric cancers have improved over the past 40 years, survival rates for many of the rare cancers has not kept pace. When we talk about children, one death is one too many, which is why CCF continues to support critical research and vital programs to ensure that kids, and their families, facing a diagnosis of cancer, are provided with treatments and cures that were not around a generation ago.

Many pediatric cancer patients have benefitted from Dr. Toretsky’s early advancements in pediatric cancer research. His commitment to CCF is unwavering. He enthusiastically led the CCF Scientific Advisory Board from 2015-2024 and launched the CCF Research Symposium in 2016. CCF is honored to announce that we will present Dr. Toretsky with the 2025 CCF Hero Award at our annual Gala on November 1.

CCF just launched our 2025 Call for Proposals, inviting local researchers to apply for CCF funding to advance their own pediatric cancer research. Our intention is that investing in research will lead to the next clinical trial.

CCF relies on the generosity of our community to ensure that these grants continue. Without research, the promise of a healthy, cancer-free future is not guaranteed. We must change that. Together, with Dr. Jeff Toretsky on our team, we will.

The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CCF) is pleased to announce that Cyndi Ireland of Just Ice Tea has joined the Board of Directors. She has served as Vice President of Sales overseeing conventional sales and the DSD distributors at Just Ice Tea since 2023.

Cyndi grew up within the CCF community, attending many galas with her family, and came to know CCF’s founder, Shirley Howard. CCF is thrilled that Cyndi has returned years later in a professional capacity, choosing to share her passion and leadership with us.

Just Ice Tea is a planet-friendly snack and beverage company founded by Seth Goldman and celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn in 2020. It is the retail division of Eat the Change, which funds small climate-friendly food programs and initiatives. In September 2022, the co-founders of Honest Tea, Goldman and Barry Nalebuff announced their return to the bottled tea business alongside Mendelsohn. Together, they launched Just Ice Tea following the announcement by Coca-Cola that it would discontinue Honest Tea, which Goldman and Nalebuff founded in 1998. The brand is named Just Ice Tea because ‘Just Ice’ refers to the set of working standards and environmental principles the team supports through Fair Trade premiums and working standards.

Cyndi has a long history in the food and beverage industry, beginning with a degree from St. Joseph’s University in Food Marketing, and starting her career with Coca-Cola Enterprises in 1994 as an Account Manager. She was Sales Manager at Coca-Cola until in 2000, when she had the opportunity to learn the brokerage business by accepting a role as a Regional Business Manager for Acosta Sales and Marketing, managing leading food brands.

Cyndi found her way back to Coca-Cola in 2004 and held several sales roles leading up to 2013 where she was named Vice President of National Sales. In 2018,  joined the Monster Energy Company as Director of East, Grocery, until holding her current role at Just Ice Tea in 2023.

Cyndi is married to John Carroll (Acosta Group). Her daughter, Kate, attends Boston College.

The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CCF) is pleased to announce that its 2025 Call for Proposals is open. Deadline for submission is May 4, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

Each year, CCF accepts requests for research and program funding from local researchers and organizations seeking to advance cures and support for local kids facing cancer. Research awards are typically up to $75,000 for a one-year grant and the CCF Giant Food NextGen Award for a young investigator is up to $100,000. The number of grants and amounts for each grant are based on funds raised from the community for that year. Meet the 2024 Awardees.

The funds invested in research today become tomorrow’s cures. Childhood cancer research receives less than 4% of the annual federal cancer research budget, which means private funding from organizations like CCF is vital for ensuring that critical research continues. A CCF research grant can change the outcome of a child facing a diagnosis of cancer. Meet some incredible heroes who are thriving today due to research!

Interested applicants can find more information and the application materials on the CCF website’s “Apply for a Grant” page.

The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CCF) is a proud beneficiary of the Weis Markets in-store fundraising campaign. During the month of December, Weis Markets’ shoppers generously rounded-up to contribute to local children’s hospitals and foundations throughout the company’s seven-state market area.

CCF President Tasha Museles, along with Board members Pete Legambi and Steve Coomes, joined members of the Weis Markets team on January 31, 2025, at its Belair Road location in Baltimore to receive $42,000. The total reflects both a Weis Markets donation and the proceeds from the round-up.

“Our local children’s hospitals and pediatric cancer foundations play an important role in saving lives, and we’re proud to support them in their fight to eradicate childhood cancers,” said Bob Gleeson, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Weis Markets. “We are also grateful to our Weis Markets customers for their generous donations to this cause.”

“On behalf of The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CCF), we extend our appreciation to Weis Markets and their generous shoppers for keeping our mission as a priority. Knowing CCF has a true friend and partner with Weis Markets gives us hope that together we will identify cures for our youngest cancer warriors,” said CCF President Tasha Museles.

CCF is grateful to Weis Markets for their loyal and generous support.

CCF is grateful to Scout & Molly’s North Bethesda and host, Robyn Stoller, for bringing together friends and the community to shop for a cause.

Scout and Molly’s North Bethesda generously donated 20% of sales from shopping on December 8^th to The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc. Robyn generously hosted a group of friends who joined the evening event.

CCF extends a huge thank you to Michelle, Wendy, Cathy and Abby and of course to Robyn for organizing and hosting such a welcoming event.

We highly recommend you visit your nearest Scout and Molly’s. They are welcoming, warm and very generous! CCF is thrilled to announce that we received $700 from the event.

You can follow the Bethesda location on IG at @scoutandmollysnorthbethesda and FB @scoutandmollysnorthbethesda

Thank you Scout and Molly’s!

Over 140 guests, including patients, survivors, family members, hospital staff and supporters gathered at The Periodic Table in Columbia, MD on Saturday, December 7th to enjoy an afternoon of friendship, survivorship and activities, hosted by The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc. CCF is proud to have hosted this event for more than 20 years.

The afternoon provided a much-needed break for some of our guests undergoing treatment or recently were discharged from the hospital. These children, their siblings, parents and extended family members, enjoyed lunch, a visit from Santa, crafts, games, and gifts donated by our generous community. CCF Board member Charmel McMillan generously provided Target gift cards. This annual event reminds CCF staff and supporters how resilient and brave these young fighters are and and how important it is for these kids to “just be kids” for an afternoon.

CCF Board member Steve Coomes and his wife, Carolyn Coomes, volunteered with check-in and the ever-popular Make-your-own-pizza Station respectively, as they have for years.  A special thank you to Alisha and Olivia Bartels for donating many of the toys included in the gift bags as well as bringing the cake, kindly donated by Giant Food. We are grateful to Santa, who has brought joy to the children at our event for so many years! 

The care staff from the University of Maryland pediatric oncology department joined us, offering some touching reunions. CCF extends its appreciation to the University of Maryland’s Executive Administrative Asst. Vernell Sobers for all she does to ensure these local families are included in this day. 

CCF extends our appreciation to Lance Cook, owner of The Periodic Table, and the attentive staff of The Periodic Table, the families, our partner hospitals and the Verrilli Family. Finally, we extend our profound appreciation to The Kahlert Foundation that funded this much-deserved afternoon. 

Happy faces were in abundance throughout the afternoon.

Brigitte Widemann, M.D., Chief of the Pediatric Oncology Branch of the Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute, wears many hats, including serving as the Chair for The Children’s Cancer Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). She, along with colleagues representing other local research institutions, advises CCF on several projects throughout the year.

Although I have known Dr. Widemann for years, it was not until recently that we had time to speak in depth about her contributions to the pediatric cancer research community and her experience as a longtime member of the SAB, as she steps in to serve as its Chair. CCF is deeply grateful to Jeff Toretsky, M.D., of the Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center, for creating the SAB and serving as Chair for the past ten years.

One of the SAB’s primary objective is to help plan the CCF Annual Research Symposium, now in its 9th year. This day-long conference provides a unique opportunity for local pediatric cancer researchers, at all stages of their careers, to collaborate and exchange information and findings. Brigitte has played an important role in developing and growing the Symposium since its first event in 2016.

Dr. Widemann noted that the CCF Research Symposium “fills a need for the local pediatric cancer research community, providing education as well as unique access to some of the area’s leading researchers. It is a tremendous opportunity for younger researchers and has resulted in the development of collaborations between institutions.” Widemann noted that the Symposium offers a comfortable environment for mentorship. It is one of her favorite meetings and she looks forward to attending and catching up with everyone each year.

In addition to supporting the aims of the symposium, Dr. Widemann has been involved in CCF’s efforts because she sees first-hand the impact that CCF grants have made on the region. She points out how critical the CCF grants have been not only to support important research but also to the development of the next generation of physician scientists. She shared how pediatric cancer research has advanced significantly, particularly in the cellular and CAR T-cell therapies for leukemias. While the development of effective solid tumor treatments has lagged behind, she is optimistic that there will be active treatments for these tumors of unmet need in the nearer future.

During her tenure at the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Widemann’s primary focus has concentrated on developing effective therapies for children, adolescents and young adults with rare solid tumors. Dr. Widemann has established a comprehensive clinical research program to develop meaningful clinical trials for patients with peripheral nerve sheath tumors. After a series of clinical trials, Dr. Widemann’s team led the phase II registration trial for NF1, a genetic condition causing tumors to grow on nerves. This led to the first FDA approval of a medical therapy for these tumors. Dr. Widemann expanded these efforts to other rare tumors and is a founding member of the NCI Rare Tumor Initiative.

Additionally, she co-founded the Cancer Moonshot-supported My Pediatric and Adult Rare Tumor Network (MyPART), which engages patients, advocacy groups, researchers and clinicians in the study of rare pediatric and adult tumors with the ultimate goal of developing effective therapies.

Dr. Widemann currently serves as the head of the Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics Section, as Chief of NCI’s Pediatric Oncology Branch, and as Special Advisor on Childhood Cancer to the NCI Director. And, of course she serves on the CCF Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). She, along with SAB colleagues, review the many abstracts we receive annually for the CCF Symposium. For 2025, the Symposium is June 4th. Most importantly, Brigitte is a tremendous friend, mentor, leader and supporter to CCF.

I am delighted to partner with Brigitte and continue the legacy of the CCF Research Symposium.

With appreciation,

On November 2, 2024, over 500 guests celebrated at the 40th annual Children’s Cancer Foundation Gala. Emceed by retired Sports Director Mark Viviano, CCF presented the 2024 Hero Award to survivor and founder of We Cancerve Movement, Inc. Grace Callwood and the Fighter Award to Keystone Electric. Check back shortly for the historical video and a full stream of the Gala program.

Since 1984, the CCF Gala has recognized local individuals and companies dedicated to improving the lives of children and families facing a diagnosis of cancer.
This year, CCF Awarded both the 2024 research grants and program grants to partner hospitals and organizations. One special research grant is the 2024 Next Gen Awardee, awarded this year to David Milewski, Ph.D. of the National Cancer Institute.

CCF is grateful to our families, researchers, community members and to our corporate sponsors, including:

Presenting Sponsor:  Pepsi

Partnership Sponsors

Dole Fresh Vegetables
JOH
Giant Food
Coca-Cola Consolidated

Platinum Sponsor

Sysco

Gold Sponsors

Bimbo Bakeries USA
Johns Hopkins Division of Pediatric Oncology
Museles Family
Weis Markets

Table Sponsors

ASR Group – Domino Sugar
Azrael, Franz, Schwab, Lipowitz & Solter, LLC
CA Ferolie
Children’s National Hospital
The Coomes Family
Feldman Ruel
Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
Moonlight East
The Herman and Walter Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai
Keystone Electric Company
Little Leaf Farms
M&T Bank
McCormick & Company
Mitchell Titus
Maryland NECA
Schmidt Baking

Evening Sponsors

Dinner Hour Sponsor –  Constellation Home
Family of 4 Sponsor –     Teddie Natural Peanut Butter and Univest

For the second year, local survivor Hannah Bean, designed the dress worn by CCF President, Tasha Museles. Hannah, and her mother, Erika, collaborated to design and create the dress specifically for the Gala.

Guests enjoyed the sounds of Black Tie with a special appearance by survivor and drummer  Noah Kabia!

CCF extends our appreciation to our amazing volunteers, businesses and organizations who donated their time and services to make the evening so successful.

We’ve included a video of the program portion of the evening:

Save the Date: CCF 41st Annual Gala- November 1, 2025, Martin’s Crosswinds