Tackle Kids Cancer is a charitable grassroots campaign started in 2015 to raise money for Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health Children’s Cancer Institute. Supporters include foundations, corporations, community members, sports teams and patients and their families.

100% of funds raised by Tackle Kids Cancer support pediatric cancer research; clinical programs at Hackensack Meridian Health, including two research labs at Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation; and access to more than 100 clinical trials at both Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, as well as a variety of other clinical and programmatic initiatives. Learn more about the areas funding supports, by clicking here.

No! Tackle Kids Cancer also supports psychosocial programs, including Child Life and the Sibling Support program. Funds raised through Tackle Kids Cancer also support our fertility-preservation program and Cure and Beyond, our cancer survivorship program. Tackle Kids Cancer funds also support the next generation of pediatric oncologists and hematologists by funding three fellows through our fellowship program.

Tackle Kids Cancer also supports the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) program to better address the psychosocial components of cancer diagnoses in teenagers. This program is overseen by our Child Life Department and staffed by a Child Life specialist. The program’s goal is to provide a safe space for the AYA population to connect with their peers, understand their diagnosis and treatment and provide an opportunity of empowerment and ownership over their own health and bodies at a challenging time.

At its heart, Tackle Kids Cancer is a grassroots driven organization. So many of our supporters raise funds and spread awareness to help us grow. As sports are an important part of our program, we have an active endurance program. Supporters can run marathons – including the TCS New York City Marathon – on behalf of Tackle Kids Cancer. Sports team, community organizations and schools have all created events and teams to help raise funds and awareness for our cause.

Former New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning is Tackle Kids Cancer’s Team Captain. Eli challenges communities to join him each year to raise funds for Tackle Kids Cancer and matches community donations through Eli’s Challenge, which was established in 2015. Starting in 2022, Eli began matching gifts to make an even bigger impact. Joining Eli’s challenge is easy – simply create a team, invite your friends and get started. Join Eli’s Challenge by visiting GiveHMH.org/ElisChallenge.

Did you know that your donation to Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation might be able to have double the impact? Many companies match gifts made by their employees to our organization. Please use the search tool below to see if your employer has a gift matching program.

If so, you will be able access the forms, guidelines and instructions that you need to submit a matching gift. Our team is here to help, please please contact our team at 848-308-5000 or giving@hmhn.org.

Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant information provided by