BC Children's Hospital Foundation

ONE GIFT. TWICE THE IMPACT.

This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, your donation will be doubled thanks to a generous match from the Michael Cuccione Foundation. That means you'll make an even greater impact on researchers at BC Children's, who are pushing to create better, brighter futures for kids with cancer.

Trading classrooms for chemotherapy: Hugo's story

For most kids, starting school is a big big deal. But for Hugo, it was even more meaningful: it meant he was healthy. After being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 2, Hugo had persevered through a devastating health challenge. Kindergarten marked the start of a new, cancer-free journey—or so his family thought.

Halfway through the school year, Hugo had to pull out of kindergarten. His cancer had relapsed. He missed the rest of the school year and within four months, his family's worst nightmare was confirmed: standard cancer treatments just weren't working.

Despite the setback, Hugo's care team at BC Children's Hospital hadn't given up hope. Oncologist Dr. Jacob Rozmus was able to get him access to a donor-supported treatment called chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, or CAR T-cell therapy.

This highly personalized treatment involves taking a child's own T-cells and reengineering them to fight the cancer cells attacking their body. For Hugo, CAR T-cell therapy was a last ray of hope. If it didn't work, there would be no path forward. But it did work: 11 days after receiving his new T-cells, Hugo's cancer cell count dropped to zero.

His family was overwhelmed with relief. With his cancer cell count finally in check, Hugo qualified for a life-changing bone marrow transplant. His older brother and best friend, Kai, would be the donor. "Kai was ready to help make Hugo healthy, so he could get back on the playground," said Hugo's dad, Abe.

It's been almost a year since Hugo's transplant. This September, he's starting grade three. He's thriving in school, and loves playing soccer. But he's also gotten into field hockey, acoustic guitar and chess. Because now, thanks to donor-supported advancements in the field of childhood cancer, Hugo is healthy enough to try, and be, anything he wants.

Meet Jayce

Jayce had been looking forward to kindergarten. It was a completely new experience, and he'd get to show off his favourite backpack.

But just before he got the chance, Jayce's school career was put on hold. He had been getting fevers, and his parents were worried. After several trips to the doctor, experts at BC Children's gave Jayce a diagnosis that shocked his entire family: he had leukemia.

Meet Oli

When Oli started school last year, he was over the moon. He loved math and science, and was especially excited to learn more about outer space.

But three months into the school year, a shocking cancer diagnosis had him admitted to BC Children's overnight. All of a sudden, there would be no more gymnastics, swimming or playdates with friends. Oli hit pause on learning about animals and math, and began learning all about his leukemia.

Stats that keep us up at night

Families come to BC Children's expecting the best and experts there strive to provide the best for them. Thanks to donors like you, we're helping to shape the future of cancer research that brings he to kids across BC.

BC children are diagnosed with cancer each year

of kids with cancer still don't make it – that's 1 in 5 kids

of kids who survive suffer long-term side effects

Get your donation matched and help bring the latest cancer therapies to kids.

HERE ARE SOME GROUNDBREAKING PROJECTS THAT DONATIONS ARE HELPING TO FUND

CAR T-cell therapy

The Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program at BC Children's Hospital is currently conducting groundbreaking research around the use of CAR-T cell therapy on solid tumours.

Pharmacogenetics

A form of precision medicine that aims to improve the safety and effectiveness of cancer therapies - potentially preventing short- and long-term side effects.

PROFYLE

A Canada-wide initiative that works by sequencing the complete set of a child's DNA in order to find new therapies for hard-to-cure cancers.

BRAvE

An initiative that analyzes the tumours of kids with hard-to-cure cancers in order to prevent relapse and prepare treatment plans before relapse occurs.

Read more about our cancer research advancements in our 2023/2024 Progress Report

"Some of the research at the Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program focuses on children who have already persevered through a long cancer journey. Your generosity is helping us serve these kids while also supporting innovative work focused on better and safer treatments."

Dr. James Lim, Associate Director, Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer
Research Program, BC Children's Hospital

Dr. James Lim, Associate Director, Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital

About the Michael Cuccione Foundation

At a very young age, Michael Cuccione pledged to 'Make A Difference' in the fight against childhood cancer. In 1994, at just nine years old, Michael was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. He received six months of chemotherapy, responded very well and was told he was cancer free. Six months later Michael's cancer returned and he underwent a bone marrow transplant. Although he won his battle with this disease, Michael passed away at the age of 16 due to respiratory complications.

Michael knew and understood the challenges associated with cancer. He shared his own experiences, and inspired people with his compassion to make a difference. He carried with him a true desire to help other people fight and beat cancer. The Michael Cuccione Foundation is dedicated to funding childhood cancer research and making a difference in the fight against childhood cancer.

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20%

75%

1 HEALTH HUB

99,000+ KIDS

1,000+ RESEARCHERS