Some fun facts and numbers from our benefit 2011:

900 attendees
1188 mixed drinks
845 glasses of wine
219 soft drinks
40 – the median age
4 musicians
4 families who shared their beloved children
2 incredible oncology doctors
And one you.

You have helped us start a movement. A movement of parents, kids, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, and strangers – collectively working towards bringing awareness and funding to childhood cancer research.

Many of you have been the visionaries this year behind birthday parties, cocktail events, walk a thons, club programs, holiday parties, wedding favors, jewelry parties, march madness brackets, golf tournaments, garage sales, and more. Not to mention all the children this past month that we have featured (see our blog!). You have given your time and your money. All with the hope of pushing this work forward. And with each person, big or small who has stepped up to the plate and put themselves out there for our cause – our network has grown. Every effort and every dollar has been significant and important.

And it is because of your incredible participation and generosity that on Thursday we delivered a check for $900,000 to the Center for Childhood Cancer Research. That means in 2011 Ben Towne Foundation has contributed 1 million dollars to the Center for Childhood Cancer Research.

100% given to research.  100% given in hope.

So it is with deep deep gratitude that we say thank you.

**A picture gallery and highlight video of the event are forthcoming.  So stay tuned…

FACT: Pediatric cancers receive less than 3% of the National Cancer Institute budget.

“For my Birthday I had a beach party. All my friends in kindergarten came. We had a slip and slide, but it was cold so we filled a pool with warm water so we had a hot tub. (more…)

FACT: Approximately one in 300 children will receive a cancer diagnosis before the age of 20.

“We faced the hottest day of the summer and I asked my mom if we could have a lemonade stand.  She thought that was a great idea and asked if I was going to charge money; and if so, what would I use the money for? I said the Ben Towne Foundation. My brother Gabriel and I made signs on the easel and decorated a donation jug. My mom made lemonade and we were in business. (more…)

FACT: About 11,210 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2011.

Dear Ben Towne Foundation,

Last year my litter sister was diagnosed with leukemia (ALL). Even before that happened I had been wanting to raise money to donate to cancer research and was growing my hair out for Locks-of-Love. (more…)

September represents so many things – the start of school, football season (go dawgs!), change of weather and sadly childhood cancer. This month is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

FACT: Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and age 15.

Over the next few weeks we are going to do something fun – as we bring awareness to this disease. We are going to feature some of the children who were busy over the summer helping Ben Towne Foundation. Their ideas and efforts were so extraordinary to us and proved what we know to be true: that kids can change the future of pediatric cancer. Kids can help kids. Empowered, small bodied, but big-minded philanthropists. We are grateful for their participation in this story and look forward to introducing you to a few of them here. (more…)