About

Press On To Cure Childhood Cancer

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence….The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
- Calvin Coolidge

Today, there is no greater urgency to PRESS ON than in the RACE to CURE Childhood Cancer.

The Press On to CURE Childhood Cancer Fund (formerly known as the Patrick R. Chance Fund for Neuroblastoma Research) (“Press On”) was the first named fund under CURE Childhood Cancer’s 501(c)(3) non-profit umbrella.  Press On invests in medical research focused on novel and less toxic therapies for neuroblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia (“AML”), two deadly pediatric cancers.

The Press On Fund was formed in June 2006 by Stephen and Erin Chance after their then 3 year old son, Patrick, was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma.  In January of 2009, Turner and Tara Simkins’ son, Brennan, was diagnosed with AML on the eve of his 7th birthday.  In addition to these primary cancers both boys are battling, each is also at high risk for developing treatment related AML.  In other words, both Patrick and Brennan could win their battles against neuroblastoma and AML only to later develop AML because of the toxicity of the treatments they received to cure their initial cancers.

Ironic, isn’t it.  Thus, the Chances expanded the mission of Press On to include research for AML and invited the Simkins to join them in directing the monies raised through CURE’s 501(c)(3) umbrella.

Press On’s goal is to achieve a greater cure rate for these cruel diseases while mitigating the potentially devastating side effects of current therapies.  To accomplish this goal, Press On provides grants to scientists conducting research into novel, targeted therapies for neuroblastoma and AML.

The significance of these research dollars for Patrick and Brennan, and many children just like them, cannot be underscored.  Patrick is in his 5th year of treatment and his second relapse.

Brennan is in his third year of treatment and his second relapse as well.

Patrick and Brennan have been treated at some of the top pediatric cancer centers in the country:  Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Children’s Medical Center at the Medical College of Georgia.

Exceptional research and innovative doctors and scientists have provided these boys with opportunities that many other children never had.

The Chances and Simkins are dedicated to insuring that their sons and all other children suffering from these devastating diagnoses and life altering treatments may continue to have options for today and for the future.  Please join us in investing in continued innovative treatment protocols and hope for a CURE in all our children’s lifetimes.