CINCINNATI — Pediatric cancer is one of the most underfunded cancers in the U.S. According to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, only 4% of federally funded research focuses on kids with cancer. But one 12-year-old boy, who is battling his own cancer, is working to make sure more kids like him receive the help they need.
What You Need To Know
- Meshaun Tubbs was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer in November
- After realizing pediatric cancer research lacks funding, he and his family decided to join the CancerFree Kids 100 Mile Challenge
- The challenge lasts the entire month of September, with participants doing 100 miles of movement and donating or fundraising $100
- CancerFree Kids is a local nonprofit that helps fund childhood cancer research
A day at the firehouse for a 12-year-old is supposed to be memorable.
And with these laughs, you’d never know Meshaun Tubbs is fighting cancer.
“Laughter and smiling is healing!” Ramiya Davenport, Tubbs' older sister, said.
“Most days are good, but when I go to the hospital for long trips or short ones, it kind of sucks," Tubbs said.
The Cincinnati native was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma last November and was the first person to have his specific gene mutation. With very little knowledge about his prognosis, he and his family decided to find ways to help fund more research for pediatric cancer, which is why they decided to join the CancerFree Kids 100 Mile Challenge for the month of September. The 30-day fitness and fundraising challenge brings awareness for more research for pediatric cancer.
“It’s ultimately about helping those kids with cancer at the end of the day and maybe giving individuals who participate a little more passion and energy behind getting moving," Jill Brink, the Executive Director of CancerFree Kids said.
CancerFree Kids has invested $8.2 million, which has led to $78 million in funding over the last 20 years, benefiting both Nationwide and Cincinnati Children’s Hospitals. The organization is hoping for over a thousand participants this year- and with the help of Tubbs and his family- hope to raise over $300,000.
“I wanted to boost morale," Tubbs said. "I like to exercise.”
His mom and sister are participating “to help kids that are like Meshaun," Davenport said. "He has these two genes that nobody has in this world. So, like, it’ll help.”
So is the fire department.
“Seeing community members outside of their immediate family or their immediate networks that are rallying behind the cause really gives them hope and inspiration to continue to fight their battle," Brink said.
For Tubbs, he hopes more people will join in.
“I hope they donate money to help cancer kids and research for my cancer and to help out anyone in need," he said.
So he has a chance for a cure.
“That would be incredible," he said. "Because right now no one really knows how to treat my cancer.”
The challenge consists of moving 100 miles and donating or fundraising $100 over the course of September.