In the evolving landscape of philanthropy, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) has always prided itself on being at the forefront of new trends. So it wasn’t surprising when we began accepting cryptocurrency donations in 2021, unlocking new avenues of support to fund critical pediatric cancer research.
What we may not have expected was how quickly the cryptocurrency community would begin to make its impact. Donations were received almost from the very first day they were accepted and gained significant momentum in 2023. Close to $200,000 was donated in the form of cryptocurrency last year, offering the potential for crypto to be a real catalyst for advancing scientific knowledge for children’s cancers.
As CEO Danielle Fragalla explains,“Our Foundation is steeped in advancing innovation and pioneering new ideas that have a high potential for creating meaningful impact. That applies to the science we invest in and the philanthropic channels we pursue. We have been delighted by the financial support the cryptocurrency community has demonstrated for our research, as exemplified by generous contributions from projects including NodeMonkes NFT. The Giving Block has been an excellent partner, making it easy to connect with crypto-savvy donors who want to help accelerate the discovery of new and better cures for children’s cancers.”
Here are some of the highlights:
- In a remarkable display of generosity, the NodeMonkes community contributed 2.1 BTC, an equivalent of $120,000, to PCRF. This monumental gift pays the administrative costs of allowing five children to participate in a pivotal clinical trial for an entire year and could pave the way for future breakthroughs in pediatric cancer treatment.
- In another heartwarming display of the power of a shared vision, Shiba DOGE contributed $50,000. This donation enables the Foundation to award the money needed for one of our doctors to bring on board an additional postdoctoral fellow to help advance their lab’s research. In a world where lives literally depend on quickening the pace of knowledge acquisition about treating these devastating diseases, such support is not just funding—it’s the gift of time and progress.
- All giving creates ripples of impact and Happy Bear’s donation of $30,000 and Munch’s donation of $5,000 translated into 700 invaluable hours of research. Every moment spent in the lab brings us steps closer to cures, underscoring the importance of every contribution, big and small.
Of course, those of us who live within the pediatric cancer community well understand the significance of these donations, particularly since pediatric cancer research has been underfunded for so long. Kim Rowe, whose son Gavin overcame cancer in large part because of research we helped advance, shares Gavin’s story: “Traditional cancer treatment got Gavin into remission twice, but those remissions did not last. It was only through cutting-edge research and treatment that Gavin attained a lasting cure. He spent seven years battling three cancer occurrences. Thanks to breakthrough developments in leukemia treatment, he has been cancer-free for six years and is about to graduate from high school.”
As the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation aims to triple its annual funding, we have every reason to believe that cryptocurrency will help us achieve this goal.
Anyone who is interested can make a tax-deductible cryptocurrency donation to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation today.
