A Devastating Diagnosis

The American Cancer Society estimates that 15,190 children and adolescents will be diagnosed with cancer in 2023. In the same year, an estimated 1,590 will die from the disease.

Despite major treatment advances over the past five decades, cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related death among both children and adolescents. In fact, it is responsible for more child and adolescent deaths than all other diseases combined. Yet only 3.25% of National Cancer Institute research funding is allocated specifically to pediatric cancers.

At Phoenix Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD), we're working to change that. It won’t be easy, but we’re committed to reaching the day when no family ever loses a child to cancer.

Find out what Phoenix Children's is doing in cellular therapy, a groundbreaking new approach to treating cancer.

Learn More

Important Work Done at CCBD in 2022:

5.3k+

patients treated

180+

clinical trials

385

newly diagnosed cancer patients

300

patients participating in clinical trials

A Sanctuary of Hope

As Arizona's largest pediatric cancer program, CCBD treats the majority of the state's young cancer patients. It’s our mission to ensure that they get the best care from the moment of diagnosis to the completion of treatment and beyond.

Led by world-renowned pediatric cancer researcher Mario Otto, MD, PhD, CCBD is at the forefront of pediatric oncology—a sanctuary of hope where expert clinicians provide compassionate care to children and families, and where trailblazing researchers are advancing the next generation of lifesaving therapies and technologies.

World-class patient care

CCBD treats thousands of patients each year, providing comprehensive, personalized care to every child. CCBD is made up of oncology, hematology, histiocytosis and research.

State-of-the-art treatments

Phoenix Children’s was one of the first U.S. institutions approved to treat children using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, a treatment in which a patient’s T cells—a type of immune system cell—are altered in the lab so they will attack cancer cells.

Lifesaving breakthroughs

Alexander Ngwube, MD, is leading research aimed at reducing the acute myeloid leukemia relapse rate. Roberta Adams, MD, led the development of a protocol for an experimental gene therapy that will drastically improve outcomes of bone marrow transplant. 

Stories of Hope

CCBD Advisory Board

Mike DeSoto
COO & VP, MITER Brands

Lynn Fischer
Founder and Board Member, Title21 Health Solutions

Lewis “Buzz” David Ghiz
Former President, Paramount Pool & Spa Systems

Erin Lewin
Former Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Avnet

Thomas Luther
Director, Corporate eWaste Solutions (CEWS)

David Romanelli
Author

Nicole Stead
Volunteer and Philanthropist

Join the Fight Against Childhood Cancer

Your gift helps the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders provide world-class patient care, offer state-of-the-art therapies, and conduct research that leads to lifesaving breakthroughs.

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Text Change 2: As we celebrate Phoenix Children’s 40th anniversary this year, we’re also looking to the next 40 years and beyond. Read the 2022 annual report to find out where we’re going and how we’re growing.

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Text Change 4: In February, Desert Financial Foundation, Credit Union and employees donated more than $1 million to support Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School—and they also had a surprise for a former patient.

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Oliver’s Mind: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and one courageous 12-year-old is opening up about his mental health challenges in the hopes of reaching others who are struggling.

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Mother Amy smiling at the camera, holding her baby, Drew.The Power of a Mother’s Love: As she prepares to celebrate Mother’s Day with her baby daughter, a first-time mom reflects on what it’s like to care for a child with a life-threatening medical condition.

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Introducing Our 2023 Patient Ambassadors: Meet the eight patients who are serving as Phoenix Children’s ambassadors this year: Joey, Sutton, Joy, Nash, SJ, Chase, Elilai and CC.

Ellie sits at her kitchen table after her family sang the "Happy Birthday" song to her. Her cake is in front of her.A Life Worth Celebrating: Ellie is a budding fashionista, an aspiring equestrian, and an avid dancer and gymnast. She also has a rare metabolic disorder, but she doesn’t let it define her.

Looking to the Future: As we celebrate Phoenix Children’s 40th anniversary this year, we’re also looking to the next 40 years and beyond. Read the 2022 annual report to find out where we’re going and how we’re growing.

The Gift of Knowledge: In February, Desert Financial Foundation, Credit Union and employees donated more than $1 million to support Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School—and they also had a surprise for a former patient.