Pediatric cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children while pediatric cancer research remains vastly underfunded. Certain pediatric cancers like Baby Matthew’s have very low survival rates or a zero chance of survival upon diagnosis. Many pediatric cancer survivors will have a significant health-related issues by the time they are 45 years of age. Many children like Baby Matthew die from the harsh effects of their cancer treatment and it is all of these problems Key for a Cure is directly addressing with the hope to improve the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children diagnosed with these hard to treat cancers.

Key for a Cure Foundation was initially formed in honor of local child fondly known as Baby Matthew who was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric cancer in 2010. Baby Matthew put up a courageous battle and his cancer story helped expose a need for cancer treatment and research specific to children.

In 2015 the Key for a Cure Foundation became an official force committed to create change and is the first non-profit in Monterey County dedicated exclusively to pediatric cancer research.

Key for a Cure Foundation holds the stewardship of donated funds with high regards and is dedicated to seeing all funds go to directly to pediatric cancer research. That is why Key for a Cure does not have any paid staff and operates with a board of skilled volunteers who dedicate their professional expertise and resources. Key for a Cure also strives to keep the foundations operating expenses low and does not spend donated funds on flights, hotel stays, bonuses, lunches, board retreats or awareness.

Key for a Cure is a foundation that finances research and believes in putting donated funds into immediate action which is why we do not keep a high reserve in the bank. Key for a Cure also only funds projects that produce tangible results. This method of funding has formed strong partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the main beneficiary of monies raised by Key for a Cure. All funds go directly to immunotherapy research being conducted by Dr. Paul Thomas, Ph.D., a member of the St. Jude Department of Immunology.

This research has been fueled by donated funds primarily raised in Monterey County and due to a major medical breakthrough in 2019 the research was featured in Science Translational Medicine, an interdisciplinary medical journal which Key for a Cure is mentioned as a funding partner.

A portion of funds raised by Key for a Cure stays local to Monterey, CA to support the much-needed services provided by Jacob’s Heart Cancer Support Services and Coastal Kids Homecare. Key for a Cure has proudly delegated money to these organizations for uses such as the purchase of medical equipment to funding programs at Jacob’s Heart like Camp Heart and Hands and the Forever Loved Bereavement Retreat.

YES. Key for a Cure Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, so your gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.