“50 in 50” campaign enlists Wisconsin businesses to help push lifetime giving toward $95 million to celebrate 50 years of Hope Through Research
MILWAUKEE — In honor of its 50th anniversary, the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC Fund) has launched its “50 in 50” campaign, a challenge to encourage 50 Wisconsin-based businesses to commit $50,000 or more to the MACC Fund and the lifesaving research it enables by the end of its anniversary year.
Twenty organizations have already stepped up to the challenge, including: American State Equipment Co., Inc.; Baird; Barbara & Peter Stone Family Foundation Inc.; Boucher Auto Group; Brooks Tractor; Equipment Corporation of America; Findorff; Gilbane Building Company; Gruber Law Offices, LLC; Hammes Family Foundation; J.F. Ahern Co.; Knobel & Associates; Lakeside Trucks; Marcus Corporation Foundation; Mary & Ted Kellner; Michels Corporation; Ryan & Kristin Schultz; Sartori Family Foundation; Sendik’s Food Market; West Bend Mutual Insurance. So far, the campaign has generated $1,000,000 during its anniversary year.
Founded in 1976 by Milwaukee Bucks broadcaster Eddie Doucette and player Jon McGlocklin, the MACC Fund has contributed more than $93 million to childhood cancer and blood disorder research at Wisconsin medical institutions, helping transform survival rates for many types of childhood cancer from 20% to 80%.
“The strides made in pediatric cancer treatment have been transformational, but our work is far from over,” said Becky Pinter, President & CEO at the MACC Fund. “Every measure of support gets The MACC Fund one step closer to our goal of funding ourselves out of existence. We are grateful to our 50 in 50 partners who have already joined the challenge, and we are honored by the opportunity to mobilize the community toward a better, cancer-free future.”
By securing 50 partners for the “50 in 50” challenge, the MACC Fund will bring its lifetime funding to $95 million during its milestone year – sustaining the research that continues to advance cure rates and keeping world-class doctors, researchers and clinicians right here in Wisconsin.
“The MACC Fund has done phenomenal work to save the lives of children battling cancer by funding pediatric cancer research,” said Tim Michels, Michels Corporation co-owner and MACC Fund Board Member. “The positive impact on families, oncology research and the greater Milwaukee community is immeasurable – ours included. Our daughter, Sophie, is currently winning her own battle with cancer, and just got married this month. Michels Corporation is proud to be one of the many companies contributing $50,000 to celebrate MACC Fund’s past 50 years and ensure a solid foundation for the future.”
The MACC Fund is one of the largest sources of funding for childhood cancer research in the state, and every dollar stays in Wisconsin to fund researchers at home who can spearhead breakthroughs that travel worldwide. Its research partners include Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s Wisconsin, Marshfield Clinic, UW Carbone Cancer Center and Versiti Blood Research Institute, where MACC funding has attracted top medical research talent to the state, making Wisconsin a top healthcare hub.
“J.F. Ahern Co. is proud to be a “50 in 50” partner in supporting the MACC Fund in its mission to cure childhood cancer,” said Tripp Ahern, Chairman & CEO of J.F. Ahern Co. “The groundbreaking research funded by the MACC Fund in our home state is making a huge difference in the lives of our children, and the support of our business community is essential to the health and well-being of future generations.”
Organizations interested in joining the “50 in 50” challenge can learn more at maccfund.org/50in50.
About the MACC Fund
Founded in 1976, the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC Fund) is Wisconsin’s only dedicated source of funding for childhood cancer and related blood disorder research. Over the past 50 years, the MACC Fund has contributed more than $93 million to research at institutions including Children’s Wisconsin, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Marshfield Clinic, UW Carbone Cancer Center, and Versiti Blood Research Institute – helping transform the average 5-year survival rate for childhood cancer as a whole from approximately 20% to 86%. Every dollar raised stays in Wisconsin, fueling discoveries that travel worldwide. To learn more, visit maccfund.org.
