The Cure Starts Now

Who We Are: The Cure Starts Now started with just one child. Today, The Cure Starts Now is comprised of over 40 families/ chapters in three countries dedicated to finding the Homerun Cure™ for all cancers, starting first with one of the deadliest cancers: pediatric brain cancer. Experts believe that the lessons we learn from fighting pediatric cancer may provide us with the critical first step in winning the battle against all cancers, both pediatric and adult.

The Cure Starts Now represents a revolutionary new strategy in cancer research: one that fights cancer not according to numbers but, instead, based on knowledge and research.

What We Do: The Cure Starts Now actively seeks to create new research collaborations and protocols for pediatric brain cancer that were previously thought to be too ambitious or impossible. To this end, we raise funds in support of innovative research. Additionally, we have a yearly grant funding cycle in which our Medical Advisory Council reviews submitted grants to determine their relevance to our research strategy and makes recommendations based on funding abilities determined by our board. When we choose a grant to fund, we make an active effort to be apart of the research from the check presentation to the conclusion.

Why We’re Important: Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children, with over 11% of those diagnosed dying each year. However, the National Cancer Institute designates only 4% of its annual research budget to all pediatric cancer research. Since 2007, in collaboration with our partners, we have funded over $16.4 million in research. Like our hero, Lauren Hill, we fight for and give a voice to those who may be too young to speak up for themselves.

How We Serve the Community: The Cure Starts Now supports research and trials that provide treatment to over 3,000 children battling cancer worldwide every year. We are the largest pediatric cancer research foundation resulting in the establishment of The Cure Starts Now Foundation Brain Tumor Center, as part of a multimillion-dollar donation to fund pediatric brain cancer research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Additionally, we have funded over 100 cutting edge research grants at over 100 hospitals in 15 countries since 2007.

How You Can Help: The easiest way to support The Cure Starts Now is with a simple donation which can be made online at donate2csn.org. However, there are many ways to get more involved: • Our events are successful in large part because of the support of volunteers. A simple donation of time can go a long way toward helping us raise funds for critical research. • Sponsoring one of our events can make a huge impact on research funding by offsetting the costs of hosting an event. • Get your community involved in something bigger – host your own event/fundraiser. We’re happy to provide support.

The Cure Starts Now 10280 Chester Road, Cincinnati, OH 45215 (513) 772-4888 thecurestartsnow.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCureStartsNow Instagram: www.instagram.com/curestartsnow Twitter: www.twitter.com/CureStartsNow

Executive Director: Brooke Desserich Email: brooke@thecurestartsnow.org

Board Chair: Keith Desserich