In a world full of need, we chose to fight childhood cancer

It’s so vital for business leaders in America to act purposefully to advance strategic philanthropy. The causes we support define us – and I’m deeply proud of the commitment that Northwestern Mutual has made to the fight against childhood cancer to help accelerate the search for a cure while providing support to families battling the disease and survivors dealing with treatment side effects. Each September, we mark the national Childhood Cancer Awareness month – a time when we look back at the impact of our work and recommit to what we will accomplish in the year ahead.

Core principles led us to unite with families and researchers in the fight against childhood cancer. We wanted to stand up strongly for children and parents who were struggling to be seen and supported, and address a critical need that many American families face.

Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children ages 1 to 19 in the United States. One in 285 American children will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they turn 20. Two-in-three patients have long-lasting chronic conditions that result from their treatment. The lengthy, expensive treatments often cause families to put other priorities on hold – vacations, summer camps, college, and more. Despite all of this, childhood cancer research receives less than 4% of federal government funding each year – and too few supportive programs exist to help families off-set the costs of treatments, medications, travel, lodging and more. Far beyond making a difference, we knew that we could be the difference for these families fighting this disease.

We also wanted to solve a societal challenge that could happen anywhere, affect anyone and inspire everyone to act. This disease occurs regularly, randomly and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class or geographic region. We have jumped in with both feet, raising funds, driving awareness and supporting families in the fight in many ways – entering and organizing walk/runs, hosting lemonade stands on sidewalks and inside stadiums, preparing meals and underwriting lodging for families traveling to hospitals, and more. Uniquely, anyone in our organization can play an important role and share their unique strengths to support the cause. 

Volunteers at our Milwaukee headquarters organize a variety of activities all year for families fighting childhood cancer and other diseases at the Ronald McDonald House. 

Many of us had numerous personal experiences with this disease, where it has affected the lives of our colleagues, family, and friends. One of those examples is very near to me. 

Almost a decade ago, my friend and colleague, Tait Cruse, told me that his son, Connor, was diagnosed with childhood cancer. Tait is an exceptional Managing Partner of our company’s offices in Dallas, TX. I saw first-hand the toll that the disease took on Tait, on his wife Joy, on Connor and their entire family.

A photo with the Cruses at a recent Managing Partner Conference.

Checking in regularly, I heard about the family’s good times, the hardships and ultimately, learned of Connor’s passing and the impact it had and still has. As Tait’s friend, and as a father myself, Connor’s passing affected me and stays with me still today. Like most parents, there is nothing I wouldn’t do to keep my children healthy and safe. 

When a child is diagnosed with this disease, families need more than just love and good intentions – they need medical experts and a network of care. More needed to do be done. We must accelerate the search for childhood cancer cures and support these families.

Outside Northwestern Mutual, I am very proud to sit on the board of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. I see the passion that doctors, researchers and staff have and see the miracles they deliver to families every day. I understand the joy and relief that mothers and fathers experience when their child recovers. To me, helping parents and families live life to the fullest, together, without fear, is the best way for our organization to give back to society. United, that’s what we will continue to do.

Since we joined the fight against childhood cancer seven years ago, and with support from our employees and financial advisors nationwide, our Childhood Cancer Program has contributed more than $20 million and has funded more than 240,000 hours of research to accelerate the search for pediatric cancer cures. I am proud to say that there are children who are cancer-free today because of the commitment we made. Through our partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, we’re sponsoring ground-breaking research and supporting symposiums by bringing researchers together for the first time to discuss innovations.

In October, we hosted the next generation of childhood cancer researchers at our headquarters for the Young Investigator Summit, where more than 60 young scientists shared their research.  

Over the last two years we’ve provided more than $350,000 in scholarships so survivors and their siblings don’t have to give up their dreams for higher education. We created unique experiences such as an ultimate campout for families this past June in partnership with the Green Bay Packers at Titletown, which neighbors the historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. These are opportunities allow families to let go of their fears and be joyful children and parents. 

As I mentioned, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The top of the tower at our Milwaukee headquarters is lit gold all month in honor of the families, researchers and supporters in this fight. 

My hope is to build a movement for more research for cures and better care for these families. Please join me and Northwestern Mutual in this fight by supporting national and local ally organizations however you can. If you’re in the Dallas area, be sure to learn about TeamConnor – the foundation the Cruse family started in honor of their son – that raises awareness and funds for research to help cure childhood cancer.