• by Tanya Gazdik , September 5, 2013

Northwestern Mutual is giving consumers the chance to honor childhood cancer researchers and kids who are fighting cancer, by raising research funds through a new Facebook campaign, Heroes for a Cure.

The life insurance company’s campaign aims to raise $50,000 -- equal to 1,000 hours of research -- in September, which is National Childhood Cancer Month.

Consumers can visit Northwestern Mutual's Facebook page to watch and share the Heroes for a Curevideo that honors two researchers, Michael Hogarty, MD, and John Maris, MD, their teams, and two of the children they are helping, eight-year-old Brooke Mulford and 10-year-old Tony Salerno. Dr. Hogarty, pediatric oncologist, and Dr. Maris, director, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, are working on breakthrough cures at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. 

For each Facebook share the video receives, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation will donate $2 to nonprofit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), up to $50,000 to fund research. ALSF supports research for new treatments and cures for childhood cancer, encouraging and empowering others to get involved and make a difference for children with cancer.

"Hearing the stories of children like Tony and Brooke facing such a devastating illness can leave anyone feeling helpless. What we're doing is offering a small way that each of us can show our support, with the goal of finding cures," said John Kordsmeier, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, in a release. "These dollars are desperately needed to fund research. This campaign is about spreading awareness for this tremendous need as well as funding research vital to saving the lives of children." 

One in 300 children will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they're 20 years old, yet childhood cancer research and support services are vastly underfunded. A forthcoming survey of childhood cancer researchers, commissioned by Northwestern Mutual and scheduled to be released in mid-September, reveals that more than half (51%) would like to dedicate more time than they currently are spending on finding better treatments/cures for childhood cancer; however, nine out of 10 (91%) say lack of research funds is the top obstacle.

Tony and Brooke were both diagnosed with high-risk, stage four neuroblastoma, a cancerous tumor that grows in the nerve tissue of infants and very young children. The Heroes for a Cure video also features Tony and Brooke's family members, including Brooke's mom, Amy Mulford.

Northwestern Mutual's Childhood Cancer Program launched in July 2012 and has impacted more than 1,500 individuals touched by childhood cancer, funded more than 15,000 hours of research and helped 200 families travel for childhood cancer treatments. Through a variety of initiatives, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation and fundraising efforts led by financial representatives across the country has contributed more than $1.5 million for the cause.