Wipe Out Kids' Cancer

Research program: wokc science & medical research committee carefully selects cutting-edge research studies that might not initially receive traditional funding. Since it began in 1980, wokc has funded a wide range of national Cancer research projects in almost every pediatric Cancer category, and the results are making a difference in treatments and outcomes. To date, wokc's seed money has significantly impacted the pediatric Cancer research space by funding over 10 million in research that has yielded more than 30 million in additional grant money for further research and discoveries. Over the past four decades, wokc's wide range of national novel pediatric Cancer research projects include medullobrastoma (brain tumors), leukemia, boned tumors, sarcomas, wilms tumor (kidney Cancer), neuroblastoma, genomics, crispr gene-editing, stem cells, therapeutic targeting, pediatric radiation oncology sedation, immunotherapy, and the long-term medical problems from childhood Cancer survivors. Wokc practices fiscal responsibility in strategic and tactical ways to reduce costs while simultaneously increasing program services and support to kids with Cancer. We take our fiduciary duty and financial stewardship very seriously with respect to expenses and a strong balance sheet. Wokc's executive committee and ceo collaborate over a series of regular financial reviews throughout the year to ensure adequate reserves are maintained to not only continue operations, should we have another pandemic type shock, but to also be positioned to meet the growing demand from children across Texas being sent to the various pediatric Cancer centers wokc supports. (kids don't stop getting Cancer just because of a pandemic) although year-round work planning and executing a variety of fundraising efforts generates a steady cash flow, and buddy bags and the warrior family program expenses are steady throughout the year, research grants are typically awarded in the fall. In almost all cases, the cadence of distributions begin in december of that year and the remainder is released in stages throughout the following year, as acceptable progress reports are presented. This not only positions wokc with an opportunity for proper oversight surveillance, it also allows the benefit if receiving the ongoing stream of treasury money market income. However, this mismatch of timing can occasionally result in a slight differential between annual revenues and expenses on a calendar basis. As well as being better positioned to continually grow programs, wokc's board of directors mandates a cash reserve of 650,000 to assure that programs will continue uninterrupted, regardless of economic conditions or should another pandemic-type crisis occur.

Warrior family program: wokc staff, volunteers and board work diligently year round to deliver a multi-dimensional approach to meeting the needs of the entire family as they battle a pediatric Cancer diagnosis. The wokc warrior family program includes children from the three dfw hospitals with pediatric oncology units: childrens medical center dallas, medical city childrens hospital, and cook childrens medical center. Fun family social events are planned throughout each year including holiday parties, cooking classes, picnics, fishing, pro and semi-pro sporting events, and more each december autonation hosts a spectacular holiday party for current and past warrior families. Not only does wokcs team ensure that each activity is fun, but that it will accommodate any special needs a family may have.

Buddy bag program: wokc buddy bags are sturdy rolling bags (filled with essentials toiletries, comfort items, electronics, games and toys) given to any pediatric Cancer patient admitted for an overnight stay in wokc's three partnering dfw Cancer hospitals: childrens medical center dallas, medical city children's hospital, and cook children's medical center in ft. worth. In 2023, wokc expanded the buddy bag program to include -- san antonio and children's hospital of new jersey at beth israel medical center. Buddy bags are the result of a thoughtful collaboration by parents of kids with Cancer who know better than anyone which items might be needed at that time of crisis. In 2023 over 650 newly diagnosed children received a wokc buddy bag.