Dear Bridge To A Cure Family,
Our journey began with a promise—one born from love, forged through loss, and carried forward by hope.
On St. Patrick’s Day 2016, my 4-year-old granddaughter Clara was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a terminal brain tumor. I promised Clara I would find a cure. Though she passed on October 8, 2017, her spirit remains, urging me each day: “Don’t stop, Papa. The promise must be fulfilled.”
Clara’s compassion for others lit the way forward. Her fight opened my eyes to a devastating truth: childhood brain cancer steals not just lives, but futures. It inflicts relentless pain, emotional anguish, and lifelong scars—not only on young patients but on their families. Even survivors face a 95% chance of severe health issues later in life.
What began as a promise to one child has grown into a mission for all.
A movement to transform the future of childhood brain cancer. A vision to cut the death rate in half by 2030.
At Bridge To A Cure, we’ve stayed focused on three imperatives:
- Data: Build a global, freely shared ecosystem for brain tumor research.
- AI: Harness the power of generative AI to fuel faster discovery.
- Nontoxic Treatments: Pursue therapies that heal without harming.
The transformation is already underway:
- Collaboration is replacing silos.
- Data is fueling discovery.
- Powerful algorithms are unlocking new possibilities.
- Innovation is leading us toward safer, gentler treatments.
Now, we stand on the threshold of our boldest chapter: the Fulfilling the Promise Initiative — finding a brain tumor cure by 2030. To get there, we must reshape the culture of pediatric brain cancer research through:
- Collaboration: Sharing initiatives, resources, and data.
- Focus: Channeling collective strength into fewer, more powerful breakthroughs.
At Bridge To A Cure, we live by one core value: Promises Made, Promises Kept.
As we enter a new year, we embrace the renewal that follows even the fiercest storms. Thanks to our extraordinary supporters and partners, 2024 brought both rain and rainbows. Together, we are changing the horizon for every child diagnosed with cancer—bringing clearer skies, gentler winds, and brighter tomorrows.
Thank you for your continued support,
Robert Martin, Founder and President
THE STORM
SURGES
For decades, childhood cancer treatment has been adrift, leaving our most vulnerable—our children—without a safe harbor.
Unprepared for the Storm: Only three new pediatric cancer drugs have been developed in 40 years. We’re still using 1970s-era treatments, exposing children to the full force of this disease.
A Dangerously Low Bar: Survival is defined as just five years and doesn’t account for serious lifelong consequences—secondary cancers, organ damage, and cognitive impairments.
Relentless Turbulence: Chemotherapy and radiation inflict unbearable pain emotional distress, and financial devastation on families.
This is unacceptable. Our children deserve better. Bridge To A Cure Foundation is accelerating research, driving innovation, and advocating for policies delivering real cures—because survival should mean a lifetime, not just five years.
IN THE EYE
OF THE STORM
The remarkable progress achieved in recent years has significantly validated the confidence in the unique collaborative approach adopted and championed by our research partners. This is due to a focused strategy that leverages robust data within a collaborative ecosystem, avoiding the drawbacks of the traditional competitive spirit that pits allies against each other. Still, something was missing within the support community. Before 2024, we experienced a period of relative stability that masked the storm ahead. However, the collaborative, data-driven methodology we champion has proven valuable to our research and commercial partners. In stark contrast, traditional foundation models ignored the value of a shared focus and data exchange that accelerated breakthroughs for children facing brain tumors.
The Tide Rises
To combat the surge, a new model that addresses three key concepts needs to be realized:
- Creating a robust data ecosystem
- Leveraging generative AI
- Development of safer therapies for children
A New Data Ecosystem
Funding cloud-based, open-source research platforms like CAVATICA and PedCBioPortal provide online access to vast data collections and advanced analytics, accelerating research. As an Executive Council Member of the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN), Bridge To A Cure helped process over 800 new tissue samples this year, enriching the Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas (PBTA) and deepening researchers’ understanding of these complex tumors.
The PBTA, a massive dataset of more than a million data points, is driving new therapies for pediatric brain tumors. This past year, the PBTA moved to a new, more widely accessible home in the NIH-funded Gabriella Miller Kids First Data Resource Center. Researchers can use the robust tools offered in this platform, plus they can cross-reference PBTA data with 34 other pediatric and rare disease data sets.
Leveraging Generative AI
A focus on generative AI technologies, like the $10 million RADIANT project, is transforming the future of cancer and rare disease research. Fueled by a groundbreaking partnership between government, academia, and industry, a grant awarded this past fall launched a real-time data integration model that empowers clinicians to uncover patient similarities across vast datasets—unlocking faster, smarter, and more personalized treatments that could save countless lives.
Safer Treatments for Children
A $200,000 gift from Bridge To A Cure helped develop critical patient data pipelines for AI applications. Backed by funding from the NIH, ARPA-H, and philanthropic partners, we’re advancing non-toxic therapies and harnessing the immune system’s power—bringing us closer to a future where all children can conquer cancer.
Collaboration and Focus
While we have weathered relentless storms, fighting childhood cancer with limited resources and fragmented efforts, clearer skies are on the horizon.
The Storm is Breaking
The scientific community is tearing down silos, embracing unprecedented collaboration, and sharing data like never before. With Bridge To A Cure inspiring action, we are forging a new era of unity in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Collaborators
- Government Action – Increased investment in programs like the Kids First Data Resource Center and public-private partnerships is fueling critical research.
- Pharmaceutical Commitment – Industry leaders are stepping up with unparalleled support for pediatric cancer research.
- Innovative Partnerships – New collaborations are emerging, promising breakthroughs in life-saving therapies.
As the storm clouds recede, philanthropy must rise to the occasion. Foundations must unite to maximize impact. Families must demand more. And the largest hospitals, with their vast resources, must answer the call to ensure every child receives the care they deserve. The brighter future we’ve fought for is within reach—but only if we stand together to make it a reality.
Headwinds on the Horizon
Just as the skies begin to clear, strong headwinds threaten to stall our momentum and unravel hard-won progress. Decades of out-of control spending in Washington has put our national economy and security at risk — the debt level is unsustainable, and it continues to get worse. As a result, drastic measures to rein in spending are required. Unfortunately, this will include the National Cancer Institute, a lifeline for the childhood cancer community.
As is often the case, “Within every adversity is an equal or greater benefit.” The community must adopt this philosophy and engage in a community-wide reengineering initiative. One that will leverage the community’s collective resources and eliminate inefficient and ineffective practices. The truth is that the pediatric brain tumor community has needed reengineering for decades. Government cutbacks provide the impetus to start — now!
RAYS
OF
LIGHT
Daniel Adler
Sharon Allen
Ken & Gwen Asher
John & Candy Bartlett
Dick & Jan Bean
Ray & Barbara Beaulieu
Montague Belanger
Bob & Cindy Brazer
Colette Brazer
Tom Callans
Charlene Caprio
Henry Cavanna
Kieran Carvanna
Olivia Cavasina
Brian & Kelly Clifford
Malin & Will Clyde
Frank & Carol Ann Conway
Ian Cook
John & Carol Courtney
John Craft
Lori Cullen
Bob & Diane Curry
Bob & Cathy Curt
Larry Den
Christopher & Sheryl Doherty
Peter Donohoe
Tracy & Peter Drippe
Stan Epperson
Charles & Judy Eaton
Guillermo Fernandez
Harris & Jessica Frommer
Angles George
Wouter Goedkoop
Charlie Goodin
David Groener
Janienne Hackett
Bill & Gloria Hayse
Thomas Herbick
Lynne Hochstadt
Ernie Horvath
Sally Jackson
Lois Juliber
Elliot Katzman
Tom & Patty King
Richard Krauss
Phoebe Lamdin
Mike Lancellot
Chris Lasus
Marie Liska
Susan Lobdell
Peter Loyd
Austin Lydon
Barbara Lyski
James Major
Daniel Mariani
Tony & Gillian Mark
Reuben Mark
Gene & Bonnie Markowski
Tricia Martin
Deborah Martin
Robert & Pamela Martin
Dale & Marilou Mast
Sam Mauro
Daniel Mazabras
David & Suzanne McCollum
Bess-Catherine & Jim McCord
Virginia & Terry McDermott
Ray & Judy McGuire
Katharine McLeod
Ed & Sharon Montero
John & Neicey Moore
Kathleen Moss
Frances Moyer
Peter & Judy Nason
Tuck & Beth Nason
Thomas Niarchos
Lisa Passi
Wendy Payton
Glen & Pat Rauch
Douglas Reid
Gail & Ralph Reynolds
Martha Rhein
Jack & Sue Rogers
Craig & Lois Rohner
Michael Rohrbacher
Thompson Ross
Kerri Ross
Vicky Ross
Chip & Susan Schroeder
Jim & Stephanie Seaborg
Maren & Frank Sharpe
Patricia Sheridan
Mike Sherman
Peter Sidell
Bui Simon
Casey Spezzano
Christie & Rick Stone
Kathie Streep
Charlotte Suhler
Gary & Karen Tapella
Steve Teitelman
Javier Teruel
Peter & Ann Tombros
Robert Tyre
Paul & Liz Vella
Steve Wagner
Stevenson Ward
Michael & Holly Watts
Mallory Weymann
Janice Wilkinson
Gerry Wolken
Peggy Yardis
Vicki Zellner
