Dear Friends,

Melanie and I are pleased to announce that we are partnering with Press On - a child cancer research fund - in order to further our quest to cure pediatric cancer. We believe that the best way to achieve this goal is to join together with two families who are no strangers to our journey with Hallie.

Press On was formed as an alliance between the Chance and Simkins families. Patrick Chance was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was three years old. Although he fought bravely for five years, he unfortunately passed away at just nine years old. Brennan Simkins was diagnosed with a rare form of AML (acute myeloid leukemia) on the eve of his seventh birthday. Brennan was treated at St. Jude and endured a record four bone marrow transplants in 18 months. To date, Press On has granted $2,829,419.82 and with partnership organizations, facilitated a total of $7,979,419.82 toward cutting edge research that will yield less toxic treatments and better outcomes.

In the five years since Hallie was first diagnosed with a brain tumor, we have repeatedly asked for your help to raise money and awareness. Every time we asked, you responded - to the tune of over $500,000. That is no small feat and we are very grateful.

While this journey is fraught with struggles, it has taught us a few things about pediatric cancer research. We now know how shockingly little funding is available for new pediatric cancer drugs and treatments. The studies that do exist are often far too generalized and broad for a disease that seems to attack children in varying and specific ways.

When your child is diagnosed with cancer, your parental instincts kick into overdrive. You form a tight bond with other parents - it's as if you are all living the same collective nightmare. The bond you share is priceless. Melanie and I are honored to join in fellowship with the Chance and Simkins families and to unite Hallie's story with Patrick and Brennan's.

Press On has one goal - to cure pediatric cancer. We will be searching for and funding pediatric cancer trials that reduce toxicity and maximize results, including a new brain tumor protocol at St. Jude this spring. We will continue to ask for your support so that we can one day achieve this goal. To learn more about Press On and to donate, please click here. 

Thank you for always being there for us,

Bob & Melanie Crawford