September has arrived and, fingers crossed, we have left the summer temps in the 90s and above behind us until next year. While there’s plenty of baseball left to be played, as I type this column, we are just hours away from the kickoff of the NFL season with the Ravens and Chiefs kicking off in Kansas City. Professional football is big money these days – I mean the Dallas Cowboys were recently valued at $11 billion!
Summer, as usual, was a relatively quiet period with vacations and – outside of the usual golf outings – with less hustle and bustle in the industry than during the rest of the year. That’s about to change as we gear up for industry conventions like the IFPA and NFRA leading well into fall and before we know it, the holiday season. I spoke recently with Jerry Chadwick of Fresh Solutions LLC, who is the chair of the Children’s Cancer Foundation. He let me know that he and the rest of the board, are hard at work campaigning for sponsors for the organization’s 40th Annual Gala, which will take place on November 4 at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, MD. Led by president Tasha Museles, the entire CCF team is committed to funding locally-based researchers, programs and facilities until every child is assured a healthy cancer-free future. That requires a lot of fundraising. Here’s a sample of what they do:
Research Awards – Each year, research grant proposals are reviewed by an independently-appointed review panel of three pediatric oncology researchers from institutions outside of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia with no connection to local applicants. The proposals are ranked on merit and established science standards. Research grants typically are $75,000 and for one year, but grant levels will vary depending on funds raised from the community and the number of applications received.
NextGen Awards – With the support of Giant Food, the NextGen Award was created in 2013 to recognize young investigators who are committed to pursuing a long-term career in Pediatric Oncology research. This one-year grant for up to $100,000 is made possible through Giant Food’s Pediatric Cancer Fundraising Campaign each September.
An independent selection committee receives and reviews proposals from the area and selects one submission to receive the award. NextGen Award application window runs from February to May each year, with announcements in August.
Research Symposia – Launched in 2016, CCF annually hosts the one-day CCF Research Symposium, made possible with generous support from The Kahlert Foundation, which puts forth the belief that small local research dialogue will lead to substantial research collaboration.
Regional experts (including nurses, doctors, therapists, etc.), advocates, and trainees have shared research and continue to advance the treatment of childhood cancer. The CCF Research Symposium is also unique in its inclusion of presentations from cancer fighters and their families, infusing the day with “heart” by sharing their cancer journeys.
Grants – Each year, CCF receives over $1 million in grant requests for research and non-research funding related to pediatric oncology. Consideration is reserved for local researchers and projects in DC, Maryland, and N. Virginia. Funding levels vary depending on funds raised from the community and the number of applications received. Proposals for the General Research and NextGen grants are reviewed by an independently appointed review panel, typically composed of three pediatric oncology researchers from institutions outside of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia with no connection to local applicants. The proposals are peer-reviewed by the panel and ranked on merit and established science standards. The reviewers provide a score between 1-5. Each application is ranked based on the average scores. The 2025 CCF Call for Proposals will begin February 2025 at childrenscancerfoundation.org/what-we-do/apply-for-a-grant/.
So, please consider supporting this organization’s biggest fundraiser this year and help them keep doing this important work. Sponsorships and program book tribute ads are still available. Online ticket sales begin September 20. See their ad on page 23 of this issue for more information or email.info@childrenscancerfoundation.org if you are interested in a sponsorship or in helping secure silent auction items.
See you on November 4!
On a quick light note – Krispy Kreme is celebrating the 65th anniversary of Barbie with a – very pink – doughnut collection this month. The all-new doughnuts will be available in four varieties: Barbie Pink – a glazed doughnut topped with pink buttercream, sparkly pink sugar and Barbie sunglasses; Malibu Dream Party – an unglazed shell filled with cake batter cream and coated in Malibu blue icing and sparkling graham sand topped with a Barbie DreamHouse decoration; Barbie Berries ‘n Kreme – a shell filled with strawberry cream, dipped in white icing, drizzled with pink and purple buttercream and finished off with a Barbie heart; and the Barbie Sweet 65th – a shell dipped in chocolate icing and topped with sprinkles in the iconic Barbie colors.
As a baby boomer who grew up in the suburbs (one who’s just a year younger than the birthday girl) I’m amazed that Barbie is still a thing. Of course, after last summer, and now this, it seems like she isn’t going anywhere. Happy 65th birthday!
Share stories with Terri that she can share with our readers by emailing her at terri@foodtradenews.com.
