Fighting for the Future of cancer research

Brianna Bailey was born May 28, 2019.

Brianna was a loving soul: spunky, funny, and wise beyond her years. She adored princesses, unicorns, rainbows, and anything pink or purple. She believed the world could be better with just a little kindness, and her favorite saying was, “No hate. Just love.”

When Brianna was 2 years old, her family’s world changed forever. She was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma. Her tumor was the size of a grapefruit, and the cancer had spread to her bones and throughout her tiny body.

“When Brianna was diagnosed I remember thinking: my miracle baby has cancer. This can’t be real. My baby has cancer. Let’s fight this with all we’ve got!”

– Emily, Brianna’s mom

Brianna faced every day with courage and grace that amazed even her doctors. After years of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy, she reached “no evidence of disease” in September 2022.

“Our prayers were answered. Strongest girl, ever!“

– RB, Brianna’s Dad

For a brief moment, her family could breathe again. But only months later, her cancer returned. Despite every treatment and every prayer, Brianna took her final breath on June 2, 2024, just days after celebrating her fifth birthday.

The silence that follows losing a child changes everything. For a while, her parents didn’t know how to go on. But then they realized: they could carry Brianna’s love forward by sharing her story.

Through Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation, they found a way to turn heartbreak into hope. A research grant was named in Brianna’s memory, awarded to Dr. Giselle Sholler, the same doctor who, thanks to CKc donors, once gave them compassion and hope in their hardest days. That moment brought healing. Brianna’s fight wasn’t over. It was continuing through research that could reduce relapse for kids fighting neuroblastoma in the future.

The Urgency: A 37% Cut to Cancer Research

In 2026, federal funding for cancer research will be cut by 37%. For children facing cancer, that means fewer trials, fewer breakthroughs, and fewer chances at survival.

That’s why foundations like Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation are more vital than ever. Philanthropy will be the bridge between what’s lost and what’s needed to continue lifesaving research. Every dollar given fills the growing gap, ensuring that the fight against childhood cancer leads to discoveries, not dead ends.

Driving Discovery. Delivering Change. Together.

CKc was founded because pediatric cancer research was drastically underfunded. The cuts to federal funding translates into a 20 year low in pediatric cancer research investment. As CKc celebrates ten years of impact, our commitment has never been clearer, or more urgent. Together with our donors, CKc has funded cutting-edge clinical trials, expanded access to safer treatments, and accelerated discoveries that have changed the course of pediatric cancer care.

Now, with your support, we are poised to lead the charge in a new era, one defined by collaboration, innovation, and unwavering hope.

You can carry Brianna’s love forward. You can help ensure that every child’s story drives discovery and delivers change.

Help turn heartbreak into hope today. Donate to CKc.