The National Children's Cancer Society

What The National Children's Cancer Society does

The National Children's Cancer Society (NCCS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Belleville, Illinois, founded in 1987 to provide physical, financial, and emotional support to children with cancer and their families. Originally focused on funding bone marrow transplants, NCCS has expanded into a multi-program portfolio including the Transportation Assistance Fund (mileage, airfare, lodging), a $300/year Emergency Assistance Fund, case-managed Family Support, a Mentoring Program pairing survivors with younger patients, the Global Outreach Program (which has shipped over $477 million in donated pharmaceuticals to 119 facilities in 53 countries since 1993), and the Beyond the Cure survivorship platform anchored by the Late Effects After Treatment Tool (LEATT) — a clinically validated online assessment co-developed with Robert Hayashi, MD at St. Louis Children's Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine. The Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship Program has awarded over $2.7 million to 257 childhood cancer survivors since 2008.

NCCS operates 11–50 employees and generates revenue through a diversified mix: individual donations (monthly giving, tribute/memorial, planned giving vehicles including charitable gift annuities, CRTs, and bequests), corporate partnerships (round-up at checkout, corporate matches, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month campaigns), event-based fundraising (An Evening with the Blues, Wheels in Motion Car Show, Trivia Nights), the Charity Vending Program (royalty payments from vending machine, ATM, and kiosk operators), grants, and a prescription drug discount card partnership with Agelity that donates $1 to NCCS per discounted prescription at 57,000+ participating pharmacies. The organization holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (2026). Distribution is community-led and direct-to-consumer: a private Facebook support group, quarterly Hope Connection newsletter, peer referrals, survivor networks, and direct relationships with 119 international pediatric oncology partners including AYUVI Guatemala, Fundación Hondureña, CCCL Lebanon, KidzCan Zimbabwe, and Centro Médico Fundación Ayúdame a Vivir El Salvador.

Name

The National Children's Cancer Society

Legal name

The National Children's Cancer Society

Website

https://thenccs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Children's Cancer Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that provides financial, emotional, and medical support to U.S. families impacted by childhood cancer, while distributing donated pharmaceuticals to 119 pediatric oncology facilities across 53 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Childhood Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Program Funding (HLAJALAG)

Keywords

• Childhood cancer support
• Nonprofit patient assistance
• Cancer survivor services
• Medical philanthropy
• Pharmaceutical donation program

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Fundraising: NCCS receives donations from individual donors through its website, monthly giving program, tribute/memorial gifts, and event-based fundraising. Donors can give online, by mail, or through various planned giving vehicles.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners support NCCS through round-up at checkout programs, corporate donation matches, special product promotions during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and cause-related marketing campaigns.
3. Charity Vending Program: NCCS partners with vending machine operators, honor box owners, ATM operators, and charging kiosk operators nationwide. Participants commit to a regular royalty payment based on the number of units placed, supporting NCCS through a licensing agreement.
4. Prescription Drug Discount Card (Agelity Partnership): The NCCS Discount Prescription Drug Card generates $1 in donations for every prescription that receives a discount using the card at participating pharmacies. The card is free for consumers.
5. Grants: NCCS receives grants from organizations such as Kars4Kids to support specific programs like the Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship Program.
6. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: NCCS accepts various planned giving instruments including charitable gift annuities, donor-advised fund grants, qualified charitable distributions from retirement accounts, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, payable-on-death accounts, IRA beneficiary designations, and bequests in wills.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The National Children's Cancer Society delivers free financial, emotional, and educational support programs to children with cancer and their families in the U.S., and distributes donated pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to pediatric oncology facilities in developing countries. Core offerings include Transportation and Emergency Assistance Funds, the Beyond the Cure survivorship program (with the LEATT assessment tool and Ambassador Scholarships), Family Support case management, a discount prescription drug card, and a Charity Vending royalty program.

Product overview

The National Children's Cancer Society (NCCS) is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of support programs for children with cancer and their families. The organization operates several interconnected programs including Financial Assistance (Transportation Assistance Fund and Emergency Assistance Fund), the Global Outreach Program providing international pharmaceutical aid, and the Beyond the Cure survivorship program. The Beyond the Cure program includes the Late Effects After Treatment Tool (LEATT), the Ambassador Scholarship Program for college-bound survivors, mentoring services, and survivorship conferences. Additional offerings include the Family Support Program with case managers, a discount prescription drug card through Agelity partnership, and various educational publications and support communities including a private Facebook group and quarterly newsletter. The organization also operates fundraising events and a charity vending program as revenue generation initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Beyond the Cure: Survivorship program that prepares survivors and their families for life after cancer, including the Late Effects After Treatment Tool (LEATT), college scholarships, and survivorship conferences.
• Michele Hertlein Global Outreach Program
• Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship Program

Products and services

• Transportation Assistance Fund Financial assistance program that alleviates the burden of travel and lodging costs for families with children undergoing cancer treatment, including mileage reimbursement, airfare, and lodging when nonprofit lodging is unavailable.
• Emergency Assistance Fund Provides $300 in annual emergency assistance to families whose child has been inpatient or away from home for 30 consecutive days within the past three months, covering mortgage, rent, utilities, childcare, and treatment-related expenses.
• Global Outreach Program (Michele Hertlein Global Outreach Program) International aid program that distributes donated pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to pediatric cancer facilities in developing countries. Since 1993, has distributed over $477 million to 119 facilities in 53 countries, helping an estimated 216,000 children.
• Beyond the Cure Survivorship Program Comprehensive survivorship program preparing childhood cancer survivors and their families for life after cancer, including the Late Effects After Treatment Tool (LEATT), college scholarships, survivorship conferences, and free educational materials.
• Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship Program College scholarship program awarding annual scholarships to childhood cancer survivors. Since 2008, over $2.7 million has been awarded to 257 survivors to support higher education pursuits.
• Late Effects After Treatment Tool (LEATT) Online assessment tool that helps childhood cancer survivors understand potential long-term effects of their treatment, providing personalized results, follow-up care recommendations, symptom guidance, and prevention tips.
• Family Support Program Emotional and practical support program providing trained case managers who assist families throughout their childhood cancer journey, offering guidance, advocacy, and referrals.
• Mentoring Program Program that pairs younger children in cancer treatment (ages 10-17) with scholarship recipients who serve as mentors, offering support, guidance, and encouragement.
• NCCS Discount Prescription Drug Card Free prescription discount card that provides significant discounts on medications at over 57,000 participating pharmacies nationwide. $1 is donated to NCCS for every prescription filled using the card.
• Charity Vending Program Licensing program for vending machine and honor box operators who contribute royalty payments to NCCS. Includes branded vending labels and apparel items for participants.
• Events and Fundraisers Organized events including An Evening with the Blues, Wheels in Motion Car Show, Trivia Nights, and Trunk-or-Treat that raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $477 million in donated pharmaceuticals and medical supplies distributed to 119 facilities in 53 countries, helping an estimated 216,000 children with cancer worldwide since 1993.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Faircom New YorkminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 October 2025Faircom New York is a fundraising and marketing agency for nonprofits. They received three DMAW 2025 MAXI Awards for campaigns with NCCS (among other clients), recognizing excellence in direct response marketing and fundraising. This partnership supports NCCS's fundraising and donor engagement efforts.
• Randstad (Randstad Ride 2025)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 September 2025Randstad, a staffing and HR solutions company, runs The Randstad Ride annually (started in 2013) to honor Myriam Laaouan, a colleague who passed away from cancer. The NCCS is honored as a recipient of the fundraising efforts of the Randstad Riders. The 2025 Ride covered Niagara Falls (NY) to downtown Toronto (Canada).
• AgelitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAgelity provides the NCCS Discount Prescription Drug Card, which offers consumers significant discounts at over 57,000 participating pharmacies nationwide. For every prescription that receives a discount using the card, $1 is donated to the NCCS. This partnership generates ongoing revenue for NCCS while providing a free consumer benefit.
• AYUVI / Unidad Nacional de Oncología Pediátrica (UNOP) — GuatemalacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundación Ayúdame a Vivir (AYUVI) operates Guatemala's only specialized pediatric oncology center (UNOP). Partnered with NCCS since 1998. NCCS Global Outreach Program donates medicines and supplies. Survival rate at AYUVI grew from 20% in 2000 to 70% currently. Over 11,500 children with cancer treated since inception.
• Fundación Hondureña Para El Niño Con Cáncer — HondurascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 1982, this foundation provides complete medical care and cancer treatment for children in Honduras. Partnered with NCCS since 2000. NCCS donations allow the foundation to redirect funds from medications to other critical needs. Over 8,100 children assisted since inception.
• Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2002, CCCL provides accessible, free treatment to children with cancer in Lebanon, covering costs of treatment, surgeries, consultations, and medications. Partnered with NCCS since 2021. Has assisted over 5,000 children with an average cure rate of over 80%.
• KidzCan ZimbabwecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2000, KidzCan Zimbabwe is devoted to improving survival rates and quality of life for children facing cancer in Zimbabwe. Partnered with NCCS since 2019. Also operates Rainbow Children's Village, a restorative home for young warriors post-treatment (expanded to 64 patients by 2023).
• Centro Médico Fundación Ayúdame a Vivir — El SalvadorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1991, this center provides comprehensive cancer treatment for children across El Salvador. Partnered with NCCS since 2006. Survival rate grew from less than 5% to 70%. The facility treats 100% of children with cancer in the country, averaging 337 patients with cancer and over 1,000 patients in remission annually. Reduced treatment abandonment rate from 13% to 1%.
• St. Louis Children's Hospital / Washington University School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobert Hayashi, MD (Professor of Pediatrics, Director, Late Effects Clinic, St. Louis Children's Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine) collaborated with NCCS to create the Late Effects After Treatment Tool (LEATT), a specialized online assessment for childhood cancer survivors.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Broad incumbent covering all cancers including pediatric, with national fundraising apparatus. Indirect competitor for donor dollars and corporate partnerships.
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Dominant incumbent in childhood cancer combining treatment, research, and family support at far larger scale. Competes for the same donor mindshare and corporate partnership dollars as NCCS.

Others

• Children's Oncology Group: National cooperative of pediatric cancer treatment centers running clinical trials; thematically related ecosystem partner rather than a fundraising competitor, but relevant for research and clinical positioning.

Direct peers

• CureSearch for Children's Cancer: Children's cancer nonprofit funding research and providing family resources; comparable mission scope spanning research, education, and family support.
• Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation: Pediatric (brain) cancer nonprofit offering family support, scholarships, and research funding. Comparable niche-disease scope, family-facing programs, and scholarship programs.
• St. Baldrick's Foundation: Childhood cancer nonprofit focused on research funding and survivor/family support. Strongly comparable cause, donor base, and event-driven fundraising model.
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Pediatric cancer nonprofit funding research and family support; highly comparable in mission, donor-driven model, and family-facing programs. Comparable scholarship/research support scope to NCCS Beyond the Cure and Global Outreach.
• American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO): National childhood cancer nonprofit providing information, advocacy, and direct support to families. Highly comparable beneficiary base and advocacy/resource model.
• Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research: Childhood cancer nonprofit funding research with strong community-event and youth-engagement fundraising — closely analogous to NCCS's event-led GTM.
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Pure-play pediatric cancer nonprofit with comparable donor-driven, research-plus-family-support mission structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/The_NCCS
• Facebookfacebook.com/thenccs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nationalchildrenscancersociety
• Instagraminstagram.com/thenccs

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The National Children's Cancer Society