ACCO is proud to announce that our Regional Advocacy Coordinator, Elizabeth Turner, has been voted as the new Chair of the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund. 

Elizabeth Turner was thrust into the childhood cancer community when her son, David Jr. was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). After David Jr. was diagnosed, Elizabeth and David were on a mission to raise awareness and make every day the best day ever. In 2021, David Jr. passed away from DIPG at the age of 9 years old. 

Throughout her career, Elizabeth has focused on health and wellness and has successfully developed community relationships to engage childhood cancer families with stories similar to hers. She was appointed to the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund by Governor Beshear in June 2021. She leads a team of members as the Awareness Committee Chair planning events, leading awareness campaigns, and advocating for all families impacted by cancer. Elizabeth also serves as a committee member for the Norton Patient and Family Advisory Council focusing on positively impacting the patient experience.

Background on the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund: 

In 2015, the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund was established by Senate Bill 82. $2.5 million was allocated for each year of the biennium as part of the 2018 budget bill. The fund aims to make childhood cancer a state health priority by giving all Kentucky children access to cutting-edge cancer research, treatments with less toxicity, and encouraging psychosocial support with a targeted focus on the complicated issues of long-term survivorship.

Since Kentucky’s children are diagnosed with these tumors at a disproportionately higher rate than other states, prioritization of this research warrants continued expansion and Kentucky leadership has taken notice. 

States have a critical role to play in overcoming the national disparity between adult and childhood cancer research, treatment, and support. YOU can join the movement to make meaningful change by engaging policy makers at the local and state level. Take action by clicking here. 

In January, ACCO’s CEO, Ruth Hoffman, was nominated for M & T Bank’s “CEO You Should Know” Award and was selected in March! We are absolutely thrilled to share this with our community. Be sure to listen to any iHeart Radio station in the greater Washington D.C. area to hear the commercial and you can read more about her here.

What makes a good CEO? Is it dedication to the organization’s mission or the ability to inspire all who she employs? With that said, I humbly nominate Ruth I. Hoffman as the next CEO You should know. 

Ruth was thrust into the childhood cancer world when her 7-year-old daughter was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Since 1999, Ruth has been CEO of the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) and is the immediate Past-President of Childhood Cancer International. 

To say childhood cancer advocacy is a passion for Ruth is an understatement. She has spent more than thirty years raising awareness and advocating for cancer’s littlest patients.

“Ruth is focused on advancing childhood cancer initiatives around the world and leads a team of individuals dedicated to the mission so that one day there is a cure,” said Elizabeth Turner, Regional Advocacy Coordinator.

Even on the darkest days, ACCO’s resources help to bring smiles to the faces of cancer’s littlest patients. Ruth was hands on when it came to developing resources to help kids with cancer. She said, “I am proud of all of our comprehensive childhood cancer resources, born out of parents’ frustration with the lack of readily-available and easy-to-digest information. When parents write to let me know that their child related to our book “Marvelous Marleigh” or felt empowered to face cancer treatments after playing with ACCO’s Medical Play Kit, there is an inner peace that I feel knowing that I played a role in making a family’s journey a bit easier as a result of these important resources.” 

ACCO’s roots are deeply planted in the advocacy community and with the expansion of the “What About Kids?®” initiative, ACCO has proven that states play a critical role in overcoming the national disparity between adult and childhood cancer research, treatment and support. As of 2023, the “What About Kids?®” research Initiative has raised more than $72.4 million for childhood cancer research under Ruth’s leadership. 

“In order for someone to work as hard as Ruth does, while simultaneously and consistently radiating such warmth, that person needs to truly and wholly love what she does, who she does it with and what she does it for. She makes it look easy and when it all comes together, it’s downright inspiring,” said Samantha Clary, ACCO’s Resources Coordinator. 

Ruth’s dedication to childhood cancer doesn’t just include the United States. She has helped ACCO cross borders and address the needs of kids with cancer and their families worldwide. 

In the past six years, Ruth has helped develop a nutritional program in Addis Ababa, fund a nutrition program in Ethiopia, aid in getting supplies for Beirut children following the explosion and navigated support for kids with cancer and their families during the Ukrainian crisis. 

Most recently, Ruth worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop a survey to amplify the voices of pediatric and adult cancer survivors, caregivers and bereaved families. This survey aims to reach more than 100,000 responders who have been affected by cancer in some way.  

Ruth’s unfailing love of what she does radiates throughout the organization and her dedication to the cause is awe inspiring. 

Meet Jovaniel, a T Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma warrior.

“No parent should ever hear the words, ‘your child has cancer’” said Marjorie, after recalling the day her 3 year old was diagnosed with cancer. Jovaniel was an active and happy little boy until a chest x-ray revealed a tumor on his chest compressing his trachea. Once the diagnosis was revealed, he had a biopsy, port placement and started chemotherapy. 

According to his mother, he is currently on treatment and doing well. 

Together, we can make a difference. Donate today, because kids can’t fight cancer alone!®

Meet Zander, an acute lymphoblastic leukemia warrior.

In May 2022, Zander exhibited swollen lymph nodes and petechiae, small pinpoint round spots that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding. “We knew something was wrong and he was off,” said his mother, Melissa. After weeks of trying to get a diagnosis, his parents drove him out of town and he was diagnosed with leukemia almost immediately. 

“He is three years old and probably the best patient. He is a pro at getting assessed and poked.” Zander is currently in the delayed intensification phase of his treatment and endures chemotherapy and getting poked for CBC’s. 

Zander is currently in remission and his mom said she is, “so proud of my warrior.” 

Event will be hosted in November at Boston Harbor Hotel in partnership with
the American Childhood Cancer Organization

BOSTON, Mass. – April 3, 2023 – In conjunction with the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO), Liz Adams, Boston-based VP of Marketing & Events at The Beyond Collection, will be hosting a GO GOLD® Gala benefit to support funding for childhood cancer research. This is a personal cause for the executive, as the gala is being held in honor of her daughter Lily, a six-year-old B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia warrior. The gold ribbon is the universal symbol representing childhood cancer, and the event will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

“When my daughter was diagnosed at just five years old with leukemia, I was devastated and immediately started searching for answers,” shared Liz. “Unfortunately, the response I was getting from doctors was that this was just bad luck. I can’t accept that and know that I need to do my part to support the amazing research efforts and specialized resources provided by ACCO. That was the inspiration for hosting this gala fundraiser, which I hope can be an impactful event for families in similar situations.”

According to studies, Massachusetts has the ninth highest rate of childhood brain and central nervous system tumors in the nation, the ninth highest rate of childhood lymphoma and ranks 11th highest overall in the rate of childhood cancer. In the last five years, ACCO has secured $72.4 million in state-based appropriations for childhood cancer research, and its goal is to expand the “What About Kids?” State Research initiative across the country, including Massachusetts. ACCO also distributes specialized resources to help children with cancer and their families understand this difficult journey and how to navigate it together.

Sponsorship packages for the benefit event are available starting at the GO GOLD® Friend level of $2,500, which includes five complimentary gala tickets, minor visual recognition on event and ACCO website, ACCO-sponsored emails and social media. The top-level sponsorship package is $40,000 and includes 3 complimentary gala tables (30 tickets), mention in gala press release, as well as onsite presence such as signage and display table, company branded items and premier visual recognition, among other benefits.

Tickets for the gala are $250 per person. All proceeds of the ticket sales as well as any donations and funds from the live auction will go directly towards expanding research for pediatric cancer. To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, visit https://accorg.regfox.com/go-gold-gala.

For more information, contact Ruth Hoffman, CEO of ACCO at rhoffman@acco.org or Liz Adams, Gala Manager at ladams@acco.org.

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About the American Childhood Cancer Organization
The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) was founded in 1970 by parents of children diagnosed with cancer. ACCO is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots organization dedicated to childhood cancer. ACCO is determined to make childhood cancer a national health priority by shaping policy, expanding research, raising awareness, and providing educational resources and programs to children with cancer, childhood cancer survivors, and their families. For more information, visit acco.org.