Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation Board of Directors approves expansion

HERSHEY, Pennsylvania -- The Board of Directors of Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation (CCRF) has approved the opening of a Texas Division. Headquarters will be located in The Woodlands, a suburb of Houston.

CCRF’s mission is to deliver acts of care and kindness to children and their families dealing with pediatric cancers. The Foundation’s array of program services focus on improving the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being of the children and their families. The Foundation is a national 501(c) 3 non-profit that annually assists more than 14,000 children under the age of 18 and their families.

Greg Anderson, CCRF’s Founder & CEO said, “The Texas Division will fill a key need. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas ranks as the #3 state in unmet medical needs. Unmet needs mean treatment was either forgone or delayed because the family could not afford it. We intend to make delays in treatment for children with cancer a thing of the past.”

Approval of a Texas Division of the Foundation and locating the offices in The Woodlands was based on two premises:

The Greater Houston area has a vibrant economy with record employment rates and new job creation. According to an article in "The Atlantic" by Derek Thompson, “Houston stands apart as the most powerful job engine in the country -- by far.”

The Greater Houston area also hosts a vibrant philanthropic community. However, there are relatively few children’s cancer charities located in southeast Texas.

The Foundation’s market analysis concluded that success in the Greater Houston area is both possible and probable.

The Foundation’s program services are delivered through partnerships with 260 hospitals and pediatric oncology treatment centers throughout the United States. This national reach allows the Foundation to serve virtually every child and family dealing with pediatric cancer.

One of the Texas Division’s first awards has already been made. It was to Camp iHope near Dallas. Sheryl Dudzik, CCRF’s Marketing Manager said, “Camp iHope approached us with an emergency request. A previous donor was unable to fulfill their pledge and the week of camp for children with cancer was about to be cancelled. Thankfully, we were able to underwrite the cost of 38 campers so they could celebrate the end of their treatments.”

The Foundation will partner with local non-profits, individuals and corporate partners to deliver its entire group of programs to Texas families battling pediatric cancer. The Texas Division’s official Grand Opening celebration will be announced shortly.

Individuals, non-profit organizations and businesses who have a desire to support these efforts can contact Sheryl Dudzik, Marketing Manager, at sdudzik@cancerrecovery.org.

About Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation
Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation is the largest distributor of gifts to children with cancer in the world. The Foundation provides emergency financial services through its Helping Hands Fund. A camp scholarship program provides post-treatment activities. With offices in five countries and a pediatric hospital partner network of over 260 locations, each year the Foundation directly services over 50,000 children and family members who are impacted by childhood cancer.