Tough2gether Fighting Childhood Cancer-Wamego

Goal: $20,000.00

Specific Need

We fight childhood cancer with families. We know firsthand that NO ONE intends to be a parent fighting for their child's life after a diagnosis with cancer.

LOCALLY, this year we've supported over 30 families throughout northeast and central Kansas with $55,000 in donor support. We help families find the best care, pay necessary expenses, and find special times to enjoy as a family. Expenses we pay include: travel to treatment, utilities and rent when one parent cannot work, parking costs at hospitals, out-of-pocket medical expenses for therapies or supplements, and, when needed, urns, caskets, and celebrating the life of brave children gone far too soon. Our two-minute online application brings help to the family's door, within twenty-four hours of request. Nationally, Tough2gether Foundation has helped over 600 families from diagnosis to find clinical trials, treatments, and palliative care nationwide. Tough2gether spearheads a network of childhood cancer foundations providing an average of $80,000 per month in family support nationwide.

Tough2gether dedicates ALL funds raised in cooperation with Wamego Community Foundation to regional needs, unless RESEARCH is requested by the donor.

LOCALLY, we've supported $100,000 in research at KU Med to explore alternatives to steriod use to control brainstem inflammation. It has resulted to an emerging non-steroid treatment in trials soon.

NATIONALLY, we fund clinical trials and research to end Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG) cancer of the brainstem, totalling over $5M. Your donation has funded clinical trials changing DMG from a universally terminal diagnosis to one with hope of extending the prognosis from 12 months to three years in certain clinical trials. We aren't going to stop.

Tough2gether Foundation was formed by Jace Ward of Wamego and his parents, Roger and Lisa Ward, while Jace fought DIPG, a terminal brain cancer. Jace lost the battle with DIPG in 2021, but his presence is central to every child helped and every hour of research funded.

The foundation is at the epicenter of clinical trials and research discovery nationally and internationally. Lisa Ward is a 4-time White House Cancer Moonshot Childhood Cancer Summit speaker, an NIH, NCI, FDA, International Cancer Grand Challenge patient lead, and Society of Neuro-Oncology committee member and speaker. Daily Tough2gether Foundation is committed to connecting, questioning, and collaborating to break down barriers and fill the gaps in care for families who face a pediatric cancer journey.

Should you have questions or know a family in need, please don't hestitate to contact Lisa Ward at 620-669-7811.

Mission

Connect • Question • Collaborate • Cure

How would I fight childhood cancer? I'd make the circle bigger and fight childhood cancer like lives depend on us .... because they do. .... Jace Ward, 2020

Profile

BY THE NUMBERS:

IN 2026, Tough2gether Foundation has supported 30 local childhood cancer families, totaling $56,535.30 to date and $100,000 in research at KU Med. Additionally, we have provided sibling and grief support throughout northeast Kansas for pediatric cancer families. We can't do this work without you.