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EnglishWhat Is PCRF's Mission and What Patient Stories Does It Share?
Updated
The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF), at pcrf-kids.org, states its mission as accelerating new cures for pediatric cancers. It shares patient stories to show what that mission means in practice—most prominently the journey of Dr. Tae-León Butler, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at age nine and later became a pediatrician. The site pairs this urgency with a hopeful tone, built around the theme of children "ringing the bell" that marks the end of cancer treatment.
The Mission in the Foundation's Own Words
The site's lead heading is "Urgent Mission: accelerate new cures for pediatric cancers." Two things stand out in how PCRF frames that work:
- Speed over process. The word "accelerate" signals a focus on moving research toward new treatments faster, rather than on general awareness.
- Cures, not just care. The stated goal is new cures for pediatric cancers specifically, keeping children at the center of the research agenda.
The homepage also carries the line "Children with cancer are counting on us—and the need has never been..." which sets the tone for everything else on the site: the need is presented as immediate, and the call to action is direct ("GIVE NOW," "SECURE YOUR SPOT").
The Patient Stories PCRF Shares
Dr. Tae-León Butler: From Patient to Pediatrician
The featured story on the site is Dr. Butler's. The key facts as presented:
| Stage | What the site describes |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis | AML at age nine |
| Before | An active childhood as a Girl Scout |
| During | Tests, chemotherapy, and procedures that paused her childhood |
| After | A career as a pediatrician |
The narrative arc is deliberate: a childhood interrupted by treatment, then a life that returns to pediatric medicine. It illustrates the foundation's argument that research and care can change what comes after a diagnosis.
The "Ring the Bell" Theme
The site's heading "Some Bells Are Ordinary, but Some Bells are Extraordinary" refers to the bell rung at the end of cancer treatment. PCRF uses this image as shorthand for the outcome it is working toward—more children finishing treatment—and ties its fundraising appeals to it ("Help more kids ring the bell").
How the Stories Connect to the Mission
The stories are not separate from the mission; they are how the mission is made concrete. Dr. Butler's path from AML patient to pediatrician shows a long-term outcome that research and care can make possible, while the bell theme gives donors a visible milestone to picture. Together they support the site's framing of "Be a Part of Innovation That Saves Lives."
Where to Go Next on the Site
If you want to engage beyond reading:
- Donate: The "GIVE NOW" prompt is on the homepage.
- Fundraise: "Turn Your Passion into Action" and "Choose Your Fundraiser" lead to fundraising options.
- Attend: The site promotes the PCRF 2026 Gala under "JOIN US FOR THE PCRF 2026 GALA," where you can "SECURE YOUR SPOT."
For specifics on events, how donations are used, or setting up a fundraiser, see the related questions on this site; the homepage itself provides the entry points rather than the full details.