Cincinnati's #1 Pediatric Cancer Charity

Your Cincinnati Cancer Charity — The Cure Starts Here

Elena was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer (DIPG) when she was 5 years old. Within months she lost her voice and soon afterward experienced partial paralysis. Still, she possessed a silent strength that left everyone in awe. To communicate with her family, she wrote notes as reminders of love for her mom, dad, and baby sister. Elena hid these notes around her home, in boxes, books, under furniture, and wherever she could reach.

Meanwhile, her parents kept a detailed daily online journal. After Elena’s death, the journal was published and became the New York Times bestselling book, “Notes Left Behind.” Her story was translated into 20 languages and reached hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who marveled at the resilience of the Desserich family and brought global attention to the deadly brain cancer. Elena’s legacy lives on in the heart logo of the foundation which serves as inspiration to the fight we carry on in her name.

The Catalyst for the Cure

Our roots are in Cincinnati, but our efforts have sparked change worldwide! Take a look at how our Cincinnati initiatives have evolved:

• Over $7 Million in cancer research funding in Cincinnati, $23 Million worldwide.
• Collaborative pediatric cancer research partnerships with Cincinnati Children's Hospital, ranked as the nation’s top children’s hospital, and investments with over 100 other institutions in 17 countries.
• The Cure Starts Now Brain Tumor Center located at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital provides advanced, comprehensive care for brain tumors in children and young adults.
• We organize novel events locals look forward to every year, like Graeter's Cones for the Cure, Hyde Park Blast, Once in a Lifetime Gala & Auction, Cincinnati SantaCon, Bourbon Baron Bash, and hundreds more events nationally!
• Hometown support from some of the biggest names in pediatric brain cancer, including basketball player Lauren Hill, Medullo Warrior Grant Wolf, Elena Desserich, and others.

"The incredible breakthroughs and advancements in research since Elena passed have been possible because of support from people like you.

Elena only survived 9 months with her diagnosis of DIPG 17 years ago, but today we are seeing incredibly brave kids surviving past the unimaginable 5-year mark." —Brooke Desserich, Founder & Executive Director, The Cure Starts Now

More Than Just One Child

With a global network of more than 950 families, The Cure Starts Now has created a community where family never fights alone. Many children now represent our mission and reinforce the reason why we are dedicated to finding the cure for cancer. Each child represents a life, an opportunity, and a chance. They embody our essence and our mission. What started with just one child now becomes the dream of people worldwide.

The cure for cancer is just as important as it is elusive. We can cure cancer one by one, or we can focus on THE cure, which we believe will emerge from finding a cure for pediatric brain cancers. But the reality is that we cannot cure cancer without your help. Please consider donating or joining one of our local events. The fight begins today and the cure starts here.

Warm Feet, Warm Hearts

The Cure Starts Now and FRANKIE4 Footwear are teaming up to bring smiles and cozy socks to young warriors battling cancer.

A donation of just $20 grants a pair of socks to a child fighting cancer (while supplies last) and supports pediatric brain cancer research, bringing us closer to finding a cure.

With over 2,000 pairs of fun, cozy socks ready to give away, we need your help to get them into the hands (and onto the feet!) of kids who need them most.

"Cincinnati's #1 Pediatric Cancer Charity" claim was graciously researched and verified by REDI Cincinnati