About TeamConnor

Did you know?

Cancer is the number one disease killer of children and kills more children per year than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, asthma and AIDS combined, yet the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates only 3% of its funds to pediatric cancer research.

There are 15 cases of pediatric cancer diagnosed for every single case of pediatric AIDS and yet the U.S. spends $595,000 for research per victim of pediatric AIDS, yet only $20,000 per victim of pediatric cancer.

The largest children’s oncology group in North America, which supports the clinical and biological research at over 200 participating institutions and treats 90% of children with cancer, received less than half of its requested budget from the federal government this year.

Types of Childhood Cancer
Facts about Childhood Cancer

 

Most pediatric cancer treatments have NOT improved much in the past 20 years. How can progress be made with the dismal amount of attention and funding that pediatric cancer research receives? For our most vulnerable, blameless cancer victims, this is unacceptable. That is why the Team Connor Cancer Foundation was formed.

Since the birth of Team Connor in 2008, the organization has raised almost a million dollars through our generous supporters, golf tournaments, auctions, fun runs, and various other fundraising events. We continue to grow and our awareness and donations have continued to increase every year. Team Connor looks forward to a bright future as an organization and to providing the research funds needed to discover a cure for childhood cancers! The TeamConnor Cancer Foundation was founded as a non-profit 501(c) 3 in January 2008 by Connor's mother, Joy Cruse, and shortly thereafter the first board of directors was established. In 2010 the Executive Director, Jennifer Bolton, was hired.

The mission of Team Connor since its inception is to be fully dedicated to raising awareness, supporting families, and funding research and patient programs across the country to find a cure for all childhood cancers. Our organization continues to work tirelessly towards this goal so that no child will have to suffer as Connor did.

Today, there are many children like Connor. Children and families that have exhausted their standard treatment protocol and were not cured of cancer. More dollars means more research and more treatments available for children with cancer, ultimately finding the cure. With your help, we can help to make the greatest impact possible on a child, saving their life! Please help us to find the cures to all childhood cancers!

All donations are tax-deductible.

On May 15, 2005, after complaining of a mild tummy ache, Joy took four-year-old Connor to the hospital just as any mother would do. After a day of tests, Joy and Tait were stunned to learn just how sick little Connor was.

It was a day that the entire family would remember forever, the day they heard from the doctor, “Your son has cancer.”Connor was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma which is one of the most common solid tumors of early childhood usually found in babies or young children. Most patients, including Connor, have a widespread disease at diagnosis, with a dismal prognosis of 30% survival.

Connor underwent two autonomous stem cell transplants, numerous surgeries, and almost constant chemotherapy beginning immediately following that one dreadful day. He received treatment in Dallas, Boston, New York, Houston, and Guatemala. Joy and Tait spent four years of frantic searching for any treatment that would arrest this disease. There were no special experts guiding them. They were faced with making numerous crucial decisions concerning Connor’s medical care. They did their own research and phoned other parents who had children with Neuroblastoma in order to find trials and experimental treatments that might save little Connors life.

Despite the heroic efforts of his parents and Connor’s fighting spirit, Connor lost his battle with Neuroblastoma on July 10, 2009.

For our most vulnerable, blameless cancer victims, this is unacceptable. That is why the Team Connor Cancer Foundation was formed.

Most pediatric cancer treatments have NOT improved much in the past 20 years. How can progress be made with the dismal amount of attention and funding that pediatric cancer research receives?

Today, there are many children like Connor. Children and families that have exhausted their standard treatment protocol and were not cured of cancer. More dollars means more research and more treatments available for children with cancer, ultimately finding the cure.

With your help, we can help to make the greatest impact possible on a child, saving their life! Please help us to find the cures to all childhood cancers!

All donations are tax-deductible.

Christie Warrick - President

Matt Russo - Treasurer

Carolyn Alvey - VP of Marketing

Joy Cruse - VP of Grants Review

Tonya Russo - VP of Northeast Awareness

Derrick Shelby – Director at Large

Joya Chandra, Ph.D.
Children's Cancer Hospital at M.D. Anderson

Ira Dunkel, MD
MSKCC Pediatrics

Winston Huh, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center

Meaghan Granger, MD
Cooks Children's Medical Center

Patrick J. Leavey, M.D.
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Chrystal Lewis, M.D.
Texas Children's Houston

Kate Matthay, M.D.
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital

Dr. Sarah Tasian
Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania