Our Champion Families
Families Who Have Created Lasting Impact
Every school day, 46 children are diagnosed with childhood cancer. Often, after children or families go through the journey of childhood cancer, they have a desire to give back as a way of providing hope to children newly diagnosed, or as a way to continue funding the breakthrough treatments that will allow more and more children to be successfully cured.
Children’s Cancer Research Fund is the grateful beneficiary of several activities and events presented by childhood cancer survivors and their families. They are creating a legacy that will impact the world of childhood cancer for years to come.
A Dream Realized
In 1979, knowing she was losing her 16-month battle with leukemia, 13-year old Katie Hageboeck asked that the money she’d been saving for a 10-speed bicycle be donated to a little-known fund for the University of Minnesota called Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF). Thirty three years later, CCRF has grown from a small grassroots fundraiser into a national non-profit that has given nearly $80 million to researchers at the University of Minnesota. Read More
Emma’s Hope
Emma was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of 3. For years, her family has hosted Emma’s Hope in Pepin, Wisconsin. The event brings together the community and has raised more than $100,000 for Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
Karl Potach Memorial Golf Tournament
Karl was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumor as a toddler. After a courageous battle, Karl died. His family holds on to his memory and continues to support the fight for childhood cancer through an annual southern Minnesota golf tournament held in his honor. Read More
Scott Gazda Foundation “Fun In The Sun, The Kids Are #1”
In the seven years that Scott battled cancer, his mother, Beverly Carlson Gazda, said that the family lived more than many families do in a lifetime. While she wonders at questions she can’t answer, Beverly says she knows they were all blessed to have truly lived each day to its fullest. Annually, Ken Gazda, Scott's father, hosts the “Fun in the Sun, the Kids are #1” to help kids that are currently battling the disease.