The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) announced the launch of Dare to Dream Days, a national fundraising campaign running May 12 through May 16 to raise urgently needed support for children with cancer. The weeklong initiative is part of LLS’s Dare to Dream Project, a $175 million campaign focused on changing the way childhood blood cancers are treated and supported.
While pediatric blood cancer survival rates have drastically improved over the past few decades, the treatments that save lives are still based on protocols developed for adults — not for kids. As a result, many young survivors experience serious, lifelong side effects ranging from infertility and developmental delays to organ damage, cognitive challenges and secondary cancers.
“Too many children are surviving cancer, only to face a lifetime of health complications from the treatments that saved them,” said Jana Boyer, LLS New Jersey’s executive director. “We believe kids deserve better — and Dare to Dream Days is our call to action.”
LLS’s Dare to Dream Project is working to give children the future they deserve by:
- Investing in pediatric-specific research: LLS has awarded more than $30 million in pediatric-focused grants and is on track to reach $52 million by 2027. These studies focus on safer therapies, reducing long-term side effects and improving relapse detection.
- Leading a global clinical trial for kids: The LLS PedAL Master Clinical Trial is the first global, collaborative clinical trial of its kind focused on pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The trial matches children to treatments based on their unique tumor biology and is currently active at 175 sites, having screened more than 220 patients.
- Expanding family support services: In 2023, LLS provided personalized education and support to more than 2,000 new pediatric households, awarded more than $4 million in patient financial assistance, and distributed 105 Blood Cancer Survivor Scholarships to young adults pursuing higher education (and an additional 100 scholarships in 2024).
- Driving advocacy and access: LLS helped secure $80 million in federal funding for childhood cancer research and continues to champion policies like the Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act, which would streamline Medicaid access for children needing to travel across state lines for treatment.
This comprehensive approach — research, clinical care, family support and advocacy — is what sets the Dare to Dream Project apart.
“We aren’t just funding science; we’re funding futures,” said Boyer. “When you give during Dare to Dreams Days, you are telling pediatric patients: You matter. Your future matters. And we are fighting for it with you.”
During Dare to Dream Days, LLS is calling on supporters across the country to join the mission. Every donation made between May 12–16 will directly fund lifesaving research and support for children and young adults with blood cancer. The organization hopes to raise both awareness and essential funds to expand the reach and impact of the Dare to Dream Project.
For more information about the Dare to Dream Project, including how you can donate, please visit here.
