Uncategorized Archives - CURE Childhood Cancer

A Family Tradition of Service

Four Savannah Students Carry the Torch for CURE Childhood Cancer

What began as a simple decision by one Savannah high school student has grown into a family legacy of service and compassion.

When St. Vincent’s Academy student Grace Mahfet applied to serve on CURE Childhood Cancer’s CURE Crew in 2021 as a rising junior, she had no idea she was beginning a volunteer tradition that would span five years and inspire three members of her family to follow in her footsteps.

CURE Crew is a teen leadership council that helps the organization raise awareness about pediatric cancer while supporting it through fundraising, advocacy, and volunteer service. Guided by CURE’s staff, Grace became a dedicated ambassador for the cause both in the Savannah community and at her school.

After her first year of service, Grace encouraged her cousin Julia Ronning, then a rising junior at Savannah Christian Preparatory School, to apply as well. The two served side by side, volunteering at events and helping spread CURE’s mission throughout their schools.

Their tradition of service didn’t stop after graduation. Grace went on to attend the University of Georgia, and Julia joined her the following year. Both have continued their commitment to philanthropy through their sorority. Soon, the next generation of volunteers was ready to step up.

With Grace and Julia at UGA, their younger brothers, Joe Joe Mahfet, a student at Benedictine Military School, and Max Ronning, a student at Savannah Arts Academy, joined the CURE Crew.

Now nearing the completion of their own two years of service with CURE Crew, both boys have become standout leaders within the program. Max and Joe Joe served as Senior Crew Leaders this year, helping guide younger members while continuing to volunteer at CURE events throughout the community.

“Max and Joe Joe are both just amazing young men with servants’ hearts,” Said Mandy Garola, CURE’s Vice President. “They show up, communicate well, work hard, and are friendly and cheerful. We’re lucky to have had all four of the Mahfet and Ronning students working with CURE. What a wonderful family and outstanding kids. These four will go far in life. I wish there were more of them.”

Both boys plan to continue the family tradition and join their sisters at the University of Georgia in the fall.

“I saw the impact CURE was having in the community while Julia was volunteering,” Max said. “It was exciting, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

“My biggest takeaway from volunteering with CURE is that we need more funding for better pediatric cancer treatments,” Joe Joe realized. “These kids deserve to go on and lead long, full lives.”

And that is exactly the future CURE is working toward.

Thanks to young leaders like Grace, Julia, Joe Joe, and Max, that mission continues to gain strength – one generation at a time.

If you are a high school junior or senior interested in CURE Crew Teen Council, CURE will be taking applications from April 10-20, 2026. Applications can be found at curechildhoodcancer.org/cure-crew-application.

Mark Myers In Uncategorized

Addy’s Army Joins Forces with CURE

Addison “Addy” Tomberlin was born on November 14, 2012, and from the very beginning, she filled every room she entered with light. She was a healthy, happy little girl with a beautiful soul, completely adored by her family and everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Her world changed on May 29, 2016, when Addy was just 3½ years old. She was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, but not the most common and treatable type. The overall survival rate for childhood ALL is approximately 90%. But testing revealed that her leukemia was Philadelphia chromosome positive. This rare and aggressive variant required an intense, prolonged treatment plan and carried a much worse prognosis.

Addy started more than two years of relentless chemotherapy and spent more than 250 days in the hospital. Her tiny body endured more than any child ever should. Yet even in the hardest moments, Addy smiled through exhaustion, laughed through pain, and taught everyone around her what true strength looks like.

Eleven months after completing treatment, Addy relapsed. The toll of years of chemotherapy had left her body fragile, and within weeks, she was in the ICU with heart failure. But hope arrived just in time. A groundbreaking clinical study had opened for children with her type of leukemia: CAR-T cell therapy. It worked. For four beautiful years, Addy lived her absolute best life. She was happy, healthy, and cancer-free.

But on August 26, 2023, her cancer returned. True to form, Addy faced it with the same courage, love, and joy that had always defined her. This time, there was no clinical trial for her, and she passed away less than a month later.

Addy’s time here was far too brief, but her impact is immeasurable. In her honor, her family established Addy’s Army Fund at CURE. The fund advances childhood cancer research with a focus on innovative treatments – like precision medicine and immunotherapies that are more effective and less damaging to growing bodies. It also supports quality-of-life programs for children in treatment, resources for siblings silently affected by a loved one’s diagnosis, and bereavement support for grieving families.

There is no doubt that Addy’s life and light changed lives. Now, her Army carries her mission into battle for other families faced with the same fight.

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Mark Myers In Uncategorized

United in Gold

How Our Community Made September 2025 Unforgettable

Every year, we get geared up for September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and when the month ends, we’re overwhelmed by your outpouring of kindness and support. 2025 was no exception, as you showed us how our community comes together to fight for children with cancer.

Picture this: 6,200 CURE Flags standing tall in neighborhoods across the country. For families navigating their cancer journey, each flag said, “You’re not alone. We see you, and we’re fighting alongside you.” Together, these flags lifted spirits and raised an incredible $206,800 for the fight against childhood cancer. And for the first time, a CURE Flag flew in all 50 states!

Our September Community Partners transformed everyday moments into opportunities for impact. Whether you enjoyed a meal at a favorite restaurant, grabbed your morning coffee, or dropped spare change into a Coins4CURE collection, you made fighting childhood cancer part of your daily routine. Through these partnerships, you helped raise more than $57,000 to advance our mission.

The Hero Wall shared our brave CURE Kids stories, and you responded with remarkable generosity, contributing over $10,000 to fuel critical research and support families who need it most.

The 2025 Corporate Challenge brought together companies across the region for friendly competition and raised more than $108,000! The dedication and competitive spirit of each business will fuel groundbreaking research and provide crucial support to families facing childhood cancer. Congratulations to our Grand Champion, Deloitte, for raising an incredible $26,356!

Students and communities carried the banner of hope through 15 Gold Out games. From the Savannah area to communities throughout the state, these touching tributes reminded us that students, parents, teachers, and fans are united in this fight. Many of the games hosted honored children and showed them a wonderful time.

Each of your individual actions, whether buying a flag, supporting a business partner, attending a Gold Out game, or competing with colleagues, merged into something powerful. Together, you’ve proven that when it comes to our fight, there are no small contributions, only the incredible impact we create when children are the focus.

Thank you for joining us. Your compassion and dedication continue to light the way toward a better tomorrow for children with cancer.

Mark Myers In Precision Medicine, Research, Uncategorized

2025 Research Awards

CURE Childhood Cancer is thrilled to announce a remarkable achievement in our 50-year mission to end childhood cancer: a $5.6 million investment in lifesaving research studies.

These 13 innovative research projects are led by renowned scientists at premier pediatric cancer research institutions across the country and target the most urgent challenges facing young patients. What makes this investment so powerful is that every project is designed with the goal of helping children within the next 2-3 years – not decades from now. All proposals underwent rigorous review by CURE’s Peer Review Committee, comprised of practicing pediatric oncologists and academic researchers.

For families facing devastating diagnoses, this funding represents real hope, not someday, but soon. Thank you for making this breakthrough investment possible.

“We are proud to partner with some of the brightest minds in pediatric cancer research – scientists who have devoted their lives to solving the most difficult challenges children with cancer face,” said Kristin Connor, CEO of CURE Childhood Cancer. “With so little federal funding directed toward pediatric cancers, our support is often the catalyst that allows critical science to move forward. We are laser-focused on changing the odds for children with few treatment options and on discovering therapies that don’t leave devastating lifelong side effects. It’s because of our incredible community of supporters that we can fuel this progress and continue pushing toward the day when every child has the chance to be cured.”

Thank you for being an essential part of this journey.

CURE’s 2025 RESEARCH AWARDS

Early Investigator Awards

Emily Heikamp, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Targeting chromatin regulators of oncogenic transcription in NUP98-rearranged leukemia

Nathaniel Mabe, PhD, Purdue University
Selective targeting of epigenetic pathways underlying drug tolerant persistence in neuroblastoma

Palaniraja Thandapani, PhD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Targeting Proline tRNA Biogenesis as a Therapeutic Strategy in NOTCH1-Driven T-ALL

Translation to CURE Awards

Manoj Bhasin, PhD, MS, Emory University
Interrogation of mast cells as a high-risk biomarker in core binding factor mutated pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

Kelly Goldsmith, MD, Emory University
Companion Molecular Imaging for PTK7 Targeted Immunotherapies in Pediatric Solid Tumors

Rintaro Hashizume, MD, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Intranasal Delivery of Targeted Nanotherapeutics and Oncolytic Virus in Pediatric Glioma

Raushan Kurmasheva, PhD, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Advancing Innovative and Effective Therapies for Children with Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors

Kathy Fange Liu, PhD, University of Pennsylvania
METTL3-targeting ASOs and synthetic lethality approaches in pediatric neuroblastoma

Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Novel GD2/B7-H3 Bispecific Antibody with Agonist CD40 Antibody, Epigenetic Modifier Inhibitors and Checkpoint Blockade to Improve Treatment Efficacy for High-Risk Neuroblastoma

Michael Verneris, MD, University of Colorado Denver
Translational Strategies To Enhance B7-H3-CXCR2 CAR T Homing and Function in Sarcoma

Elvin Wagenblast, PhD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
PR Domain Inhibition to Target Leukemia Stem Cells in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Muxiang Zhou, MD, Emory University
Dual inhibition of MDM2 and tubulin for precision treatment of acute myeloid leukemia

Precision Medicine Program, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
A program leveraging genomic sequencing for pediatric patients with high-risk tumors, with the goal of identifying alterations that can impact therapies and improve outcomes.

MORE INFORMATION

Mark Myers In Uncategorized

Stitching Hope

Local Teens Create Comfort Wear for Young Cancer Patients

A group of longtime friends at Savannah Country Day School are putting their hearts, hands, and sewing machines to work for young cancer patients in their community. The initiative, called Care Wear for CURE, was born when sophomore Margaret and her mother came up with an idea to create comfortable, port-friendly clothing for children undergoing cancer treatment.

What started as a learning experience with two of their grandmothers has blossomed into a full-fledged mission. The team of young ladies – Margaret, Olivia, Tennyson, Clara, Saylor, and Katherine – have been friends since their early school days, and now they’re channeling their friendship into a force for good.

The project got an early boost when a company generously donated shirts and dresses for the girls to practice their sewing skills. Through trial and error, and with guidance from their experienced grandmothers, they refined their approach. They discovered that snap closures were more comfortable than zippers for young patients, and they added special pockets that could hold small toys so the child could keep their favorite things close by.

The enthusiasm of these young entrepreneurs is infectious. They’ve created an Instagram page that’s already attracting support, with high school students sending spontaneous donations. To raise additional funds, the girls have organized bake sales and crafted necklaces, using the proceeds to create more clothing and assemble tote bags filled with toys and gift cards for families in treatment. You can find them on Instagram as @carewearforcure.

So far, the team has completed ten pieces and is now working on customizable clothing, incorporating each child’s favorite colors and interests into the designs. They’re even planning to expand their line to include pajamas through a partnership with a Savannah-based favorite, LAKE Pajamas. They were recently able to deliver the first sets to children in treatment at Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah.

This initiative is particularly special because it brings together multiple generations –grandmothers passing down their sewing skills, mothers supporting their daughters’ vision, and young women using these gifts to comfort children. Care Wear for CURE shows that sometimes the most meaningful projects begin with a simple idea and a willing heart.

Mark Myers In Uncategorized

A Heart that Beat for Others

In the world of childhood cancer, heroes come in many forms. Some wear white coats, others don nursing scrubs, and then there are those who wield drumsticks and a heart of gold. Brit Turner, the founding drummer of Blackberry Smoke, was one such hero — a man whose rhythm not only moved feet but also touched countless hearts.

Brit’s journey with CURE began in 2009 when his daughter was diagnosed with stage-4 neuroblastoma. For two grueling years, the Turner family navigated the storm of childhood cancer, finally reaching remission. But for Brit, this wasn’t the end of the story — it was just the beginning.

Where others might have stepped back, grateful for their own child’s recovery, Brit stepped forward. He made a promise: “When my daughter was diagnosed, I felt completely helpless and I made a promise to help people going through the same thing.” It was a promise he kept until his last breath.

Through Blackberry Smoke, Brit orchestrated the raising and donating of over $700,000 to childhood cancer organizations. But numbers, impressive as they are, fail to capture the essence of Brit’s impact. It was in the quiet, often anonymous acts of kindness that Brit’s true character shone brightest.

Picture a single mother struggling to keep a roof over her family’s head while her child battles cancer. Brit, moved to tears by her story, silently paid this stranger’s mortgage for six months. Or the hundreds of nurses at the Aflac Cancer Center receiving light-up shoes — a gesture of appreciation from a man most had never met. These weren’t publicity stunts; they were the actions of a man whose empathy knew no bounds.

Brit had a unique ability to turn conversations away from himself, always more interested in the stories and needs of others. When we shared tales of families in need, Brit’s eyes would immediately well up. His response was always the same: “What can we do to help?”

Even when faced with his own glioblastoma diagnosis in 2022, Brit’s resolve to help children with cancer only strengthened. He approached his own battle with the same courage and grace he had witnessed in so many children, all while continuing his mission to support others.

To us at CURE, Brit wasn’t just a supporter or a donor — he was family. He was the brother who shows up unannounced with exactly what you need, the friend who listens without judgment, and the warrior who fights tirelessly for a cause bigger than himself.

As we move forward, we carry Brit’s spirit with us. The Brit Turner Family Fund at CURE will continue his legacy, helping children and families who need it most. But perhaps the greatest tribute we can pay to Brit is to approach our mission with the same love, empathy, and selflessness that he exemplified every day.

Brit Turner left an indelible mark on the childhood cancer community — not just through his music or his fundraising, but through the countless lives he touched with his kindness and compassion. He showed us that true heroism lies in the quiet, consistent acts of love that change lives one at a time.

*In loving memory of Brit Turner (1967-2024) — a devoted father and husband, a talented musician, a tireless advocate, and a true friend to all who knew him and to countless others he never met but held close to his heart.

Learn more about the Brit Turner Family Fund

LEARN MORE

Mark Myers In Uncategorized

Courage on Two Wheels

Finnley has been around motorcycles her whole life. Her uncle is a retired professional motocross racer, and her grandparents own a track called Georgia Practice Facility in Cairo, Georgia. Every year, they hold a competition called The Cla$h, which brings in riders from all over the country. When it was time for this year’s race, Finnley had an idea to raise money for children fighting cancer… because she knows how hard that is since she’s battling leukemia herself.

In early 2023, Finnley had ankle pain that went on for months, compounded with compression fractures. After many doctor appointments and tests, her mother, Stacy, knew something wasn’t right.

“We were told it might be growing pains,” recalled Stacy. “But I’m an emergency room nurse. So, as her pain increased, I just knew in my heart that it wasn’t right. I pushed for a blood test, and the doctor confirmed my suspicions immediately.”

Finnley was diagnosed with leukemia in April 2023. At just eight years old, she has proven how resilient she is time and time again. She has smiled and kept in good spirits even at the most difficult stages of treatment. Finnley is very social, so the most challenging thing for her has been missing so much school and being away from her friends.

“She didn’t suffer from too many side effects until she reached the long-term maintenance phase, which is supposed to be easier,” said Stacy. “She had more hospital stays and a lung infection that was difficult to treat. Going on our wish trip changed everything for her.”

When planning for The Cla$h began, the family looked to add a charity element to the weekend. Stacy and Finnley knew who they wanted to raise money for immediately.

“CURE was with us from day one,” shared Stacy. “When we were first diagnosed, we didn’t go home for eight days. We were in survival mode – only eating and leaving the room sporadically. One day, a lady from CURE peeked into the door with a bag of food. She said, ‘I know it’s hard right now, but you need to eat. So I’m going to leave this here for you.’ That was everything to me because I knew right then that I wasn’t alone. And CURE has been there the entire time.”

Finnley set up a table at the event to sell coffee and donuts and share CURE’s mission with all the riders and spectators. She set her own alarm and got up at 5:30 a.m. so she could get the donuts and be at the track when people began to show up. She stayed until 11:00 p.m. both nights and raised $1500 for CURE.

“We were so proud of her,” said Stacy. “She had a purpose, and it meant a lot for her to be able to give back.”

Finnley is doing great these days. She loves school and spending time with friends. Her treatment should end in June, but her mom believes that Finnley’s unselfish heart will always want to help children who have to fight cancer like she has.

Mark Myers In Uncategorized

A Community of Hope

Your Impact on Families During the Holidays

Last month, as decorations and lights adorned neighborhoods and holiday music filled the air, many families faced the sobering reality of childhood cancer. Between ongoing treatments, unexpected hospital stays, and mounting medical bills, creating holiday magic felt out of reach for many parents already stretched thin. But thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our donors, these families didn’t have to face the season alone. Your outpouring of support changed what could have been an overwhelmingly difficult month into one filled with moments of joy, hope, and community. We want to share with you the profound difference you made in the lives of families during the holiday season.

CURE’s Holiday Party

More than 500 family members were treated to an afternoon of fun at CURE’s Holiday Parties, where they enjoyed lots of special treats, dancing, face painting, crafts, and more. We heard so many parents share how nice it was to step away from treatment for an afternoon and just be a family.

“We had such a wonderful time at the CURE Holiday Party this year. Ever since our son was diagnosed with AML several years ago, our community has been so important to us, and CURE is at the heart of that community. Over the summer, when we were staying far away for months while our son received a bone marrow transplant, we encouraged ourselves by imagining what it would be like at the holidays when we were once again back at home and reunited with our friends and family. CURE made that vision a reality. At the CURE Holiday Party, watching the kids play and reconnecting with other families we’ve grown close to, we were so grateful for all we have to celebrate and this amazing community.”

-The Michael Family

Holiday Angels

Through our Holiday Angel program, donors fulfilled the wish lists of 150 families. These gifts were not only for the children fighting cancer but also for their siblings and parents. As you can see from the comments below, the families that received these gifts were more than grateful, they were deeply impacted by your generosity.

“Thank you for your kindness toward our family this Christmas! We were amazed at all the toys for our kids that you purchased along with the generous gift card. It is so touching to know there are people so kind and so thoughtful, and we have been blessed by that. Thank you for the abundance of gifts and support! We are so grateful!”

-The Croscutt Family

“The gifts we received have changed my whole mood and outlook towards my situation. The art supplies you sent have not gone to waste. They have awakened a creative spark in me like never before! I hope you all had the best holidays ever because you have made this mine. Thank you.”

The Haralson Family

Critical Financial Assistance

Your gifts also allowed us to provide more than $46,000 in financial assistance in December to families experiencing financial hardship as a result of their child’s cancer treatment. This crucial support played a vital role in helping these families maintain housing, utilities, and transportation.

When notified that their December mortgage payment had been paid, one mother said:

“Thank You! Wow! We are so very grateful! This will relieve a lot of pressure on our finances. Thank you all so much for all you do for us and all the families in the fight.”

Your generosity did more than just brighten the holidays – it strengthened an entire community of families facing childhood cancer. From the laughter at our holiday parties to crucial financial support and thoughtfully chosen gifts, each act of giving will help carry these families forward into the new year. Thank you for being part of our CURE community and for showing these brave families that they never have to face this challenge alone.

Mark Myers In Uncategorized

Jewelry with a Purpose

How D. Geller & Son Turned Inspiration into Purpose

The Geller family has been in the jewelry business for 15 generations. In the late 1800’s, David Geller was a personal jeweler to Czar Nicholas II. After immigrating from Russia, the family swiftly integrated into the Atlanta community through active involvement in local charitable efforts. The support of nonprofit organizations is still an integral part of the business today.

Jonathan Geller is the current President and CEO of D. Geller & Son. After serving as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, Jonathan returned to the family business in 2022 when his father was ready to retire. He learned about CURE Childhood Cancer soon after returning when the store donated a gift card to the silent auction for CURE’s Believe Ball. When a CURE board member came to the store to pick it up, Jonathan was moved as she shared CURE’s mission. She invited him to an upcoming event called Quiet Heroes. Quiet Heroes honors the mothers of children with cancer, and more than 250 were in the room during the event. The afternoon profoundly impacted Jonathan and his wife.

“We have three healthy children,” he said. “I looked around the room and knew we needed to do more to help those who aren’t as fortunate in that regard. Using the company’s skill at designing and marketing jewelry was the perfect way to support CURE, so I started planning a new line on the way home.”

While he has been around jewelry his whole life, he hasn’t done a significant amount of jewelry design. The drop of blood in CURE’s logo became his inspiration. The blood drop signifies life – every drop makes a difference. As he worked through the theme of the line, he landed on the name Stilla Vitae, which means “Drop of Life” in Latin.

“I was deeply moved by the remarkable courage and resilience of children battling cancer,” Jonathan shared. “The Stilla Vitae line recognizes the strength within us all and serves as a meaningful gift for anyone navigating life’s challenges – a beautiful daily reminder that we possess the inner strength to overcome any obstacle.”

The original Stilla Vitae pieces sold well, and the custom design group added new pieces. The website has a page dedicated to the line, and it is constantly in the marketing plan. Visit dgeller.com/pages/stilla-vitae to browse the very special pieces of jewelry with a purpose.

Mark Myers In Uncategorized

Ring the Bell, Daniel

A few weeks ago, Daniel Morgan rang the bell to signify the end of his cancer treatment. He doesn’t like to be the center of attention and actually didn’t want to have the bell ringing. But his family knew this was a milestone to be remembered, so they convinced him to do it.

It’s been a long journey for Daniel – two years, four months, and two days to be exact. It started with a swollen lymph node on his neck and a fever. Because it was a weekend, his mother, Felicia, took him to an urgent care clinic, where the nurse thought it was a dental issue. He got steroids that suppressed his symptoms for a few weeks, but they came roaring back when the medicine wore off.

He finally went to the pediatrician, where bloodwork reviewed a high white blood cell count. Further testing on June 1, 2022, revealed that Daniel had leukemia. It was the first day of summer after his sophomore year of what turned out to be a very odd high school experience.

“Daniel’s freshman year and part of his sophomore year were from home because of COVID,” Felicia said. “He could only do partial days during his junior year because of treatment and finally got to go back to school full time for his senior year. He was very ready to get back to his friends and routine.”

“He didn’t really share what he was going through,” Felicia said. “He didn’t want to be treated differently or have people feel sorry for him. When he lost his hair, it was winter, so he was able to wear his beanie to school.”

Treatment was very hard on Daniel. He was often sick and had an allergic reaction to one of the chemotherapies. Because of this reaction, he was forced to have a very painful injection in his leg. He would have to psych himself up in the morning, knowing that he was going to get the shot that hurt badly.

Despite the interruptions and difficulty of treatment, Daniel graduated from John’s Creek High School with honors last spring. He is studying computer science at Kennesaw State University. He loves creating websites and programming.

“Our family feels compelled to give back to others fighting childhood cancer now that we’re done,” said Felicia. “Daniel has done surveys about the stress of treatment and described how he handled it. We’ve been proud of his responses. His thoughtful answers showed a great deal of maturity.”

CURE has been a support for the Morgans since day one. Felicia raves about the binder notebook that is in the Tote Bag we provided at diagnosis.

“I still have my binder and continue to keep records in it,” she said. “The Open Arms meals meant a lot. They allowed us to put all of our focus on getting Daniel well. It’s been a long road, but it is great to see Daniel happy, healthy, and loving life.”