Brief History of MN Lions Childhood Cancer Foundation

Lions Clubs International has designated Childhood Cancer as one of its five Global Causes. Undoubtedly, this is in recognition of the devastating effect childhood cancer has on families around the world, as well as the recognition that research into this disease is woefully underfunded. 

The Lions of Multiple 5M have developed two foundations to address this global cause: The MN Lions Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Lions Childhood Cancer Foundation. 

Our organization was initially incorporated as MD5M LIONS CHILDREN’S CANCER FOUNDATION of MINNESOTA, Inc. on January 8, 2019. The Articles of Incorporation were amended on August 12, 2019, changing the name of the organization to MN Lions Childhood Cancer Foundation, Inc. 

On June 29, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service approved our application as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations to the Foundation may be claimed as charitable contributions. This designation is also significant for charitable gambling contributions. 

Our Goal was to Raise $100,000 in the 2019-2020 Lions year (7/1/19 – 6/30/20) to fund programs and research for survivors of childhood cancer at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. 

We had an Incentive: The University Foundation would match our donation, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. The Children’s Cancer Research Fund would match our donation, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. 

We met our goal and our $100,000 became $300,000 to address the issues facing survivors of childhood cancer! 

In our second year, we raised and donated an additional $50,000 for the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital for their cancer survivorship programs. One of the projects funded by our contributions is a smart phone app to enable providers and patients to remain in contact after the patient completes treatment, so that any new developments can to communicated back and forth to head off any side effects or other medical issues. 

Additionally, the Foundation contributed to Kamp K.A.C.E. (Kids Against Cancer Everywhere) to assist in their mission of providing a camp experience for children afflicted with cancer and their siblings. 

A relatively new initiative by the Foundation involves partnering with local Lions Clubs to help local families dealing with childhood cancer. Thus far, we have approved matches $500 to three local Lions Clubs who had fundraisers for local families. 

The Believe Award has been established to recognize clubs and individuals who have donated $1000 to the Foundation to further our mission to assist patients and families dealing with childhood cancer. 

Your support is truly appreciated!