Advocacy In Action

Rally to the Capitol in Washington, D.C., led by Rally Foundation.

In 2016, we took bold steps forward.

In September, Rally Foundation led our first-ever Rally to the U.S. Capitol during CureFest. Childhood cancer families, survivors, researchers and advocates came together in Washington, D.C., united by one mission: to make childhood cancer a national priority.

It was a powerful moment. We weren’t just raising awareness. We were respectfully raising our voices. Kids are dying because of childhood cancer, and they deserve better.

That first Rally to the Capitol laid the groundwork for something bigger, but first this happened.

In late October, a transformational phone call led to a $1 million commitment from Lewis Bear to launch Rally’s endowment, ensuring our work to fund research, support families and advocate for change would continue for generations.

That pledge was fulfilled in 2017 through the Bear Family Foundation, marking a new chapter of long-term sustainability for our mission.

In 2017, our advocacy efforts expanded in a new and groundbreaking way. Rally began working to secure dedicated federal funding for cancers in children, adolescents and young adults through the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP).

That very first year, we helped secure $3 million in funding paid directly to researchers; a historic win for a population too often overlooked in federal budgets.

Today, we have led Rally to the Capitol nine times, and our work with the Department of Defense has grown exponentially. Together, we’ve helped secure $317.5 million for researchers focused on cancers in kids, teens and young adults.

Our endowment nearly doubled its original size thanks to the bold generosity and vision of Lewis. Many caring donors have also contributed to the endowment. Each gift is a promise that Rally will be here for every child, every family, for as long as it takes.

This is the power of people.

This is the power of purpose.

This is Rally.