With more than 200 known types, cancer remains one of the most complex and challenging diseases. Many cancers lack effective therapies, especially when diagnosed at later stages after the cancer cells have moved to other parts of the body. Though treatments exist for a wide range of cancers, they often come with uncertain outcomes and harsh side effects that take a toll on patients and their families.
Cancer remains one of the world’s leading causes of death. In the US, an estimated 618,120 people are expected to die from cancer in 2025. For many cancers—especially rare and aggressive types—the dream of more effective and less damaging precision treatments remains distant. To drive knowledge acquisition and sharing, the reality requires improved understanding of the complex biology of these tumors, collaborative data programs, and enhanced infrastructure. When strategic philanthropy is applied to cancer research and clinical care, equity is advanced, early and accurate diagnosis is expanded, and outcomes improve.
Building on strategic collaborations with the Melanoma Research Alliance and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) partners with organizations to uncover promising but underfunded approaches to cancer treatment. We guide donors through the cancer research landscape, bringing in cross-sector experts to unlock new potential—paving the way for more effective treatments and diagnostics to reduce the anxiety that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
SPARC partnered with an anonymous donor to build a comprehensive childhood brain cancer program. It addresses the improved biological understanding of rare pediatric brain tumors and clinical and psychosocial care at a leading children’s hospital.
Childhood Brain Cancer
Childhood brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in children and adolescents, comprising over 16 percent of pediatric cancer diagnoses and encompassing over 100 rare and complex tumor subtypes. SPARC has partnered with leading institutions and a dedicated anonymous donor to support an integrated, global program that spans molecular research, therapeutic development, and cross-sector collaboration to accelerate innovation, address systemic funding gaps, and improve outcomes for affected children and their families.
Follicular Lymphoma
Follicular lymphoma is a slow-growing, incurable form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by cycles of remission and relapse. A subset of patients experience rapid progression and poorer outcomes. The Follicular Lymphoma Foundation engaged SPARC to advance research and accelerate treatment innovation by identifying strategic therapeutic funding opportunities and fostering collaborations that maximize philanthropic funding.
Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer, with limited treatment options and a median survival of just over one year. SPARC has driven progress by identifying opportunities for strategic funding and advancement of clinical trial innovation. SPARC also accelerates research aimed at improving outcomes.
Uterine Leiomyosarcoma
Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is a rare and aggressive cancer of the uterus that often mimics benign fibroids, grows rapidly, and carries a poor prognosis. SPARC collaborated with the Briger Foundation for Oncology Research to conduct a comprehensive landscape analysis of uLMS. They identify critical research gaps and strategic opportunities where philanthropic investment can accelerate scientific discovery, pave a path toward precision medicine, and enhance outcomes for patients.
Financing Innovation in Cancer
The Milken Institute has partnered with the American Cancer Society and its impact investment arm, BrightEdge. They develop innovative financing mechanisms with the aim of overcoming market failures, driving progress in spaces where critical funding gaps are barriers to improving patient outcomes. In collaboration with the Milken Institute’s Financial Innovation Lab, SPARC is identifying where and how innovative investment models can be leveraged to overcome barriers to progress in areas where incentives are not aligned with success.
Cara Altimus leads SPARC at the Milken Institute. She is also the Managing Director of Breakthrough Discoveries for thriving with Bipolar Disorder (BD2), a philanthropic initiative launched out of SPARC. Previously, Altimus led the Neural Interfaces Laboratory at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She serves as the chair for the Trainee Advisory Committee for the Society for Neuroscience and as an advisor to the Ontario Brain Institute. Altimus holds a PhD in biology from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in genetics from the University of Georgia.
Caitlyn Barrett manages SPARC’s work in the Rare Diseases and Cancer focus areas. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer. Previously, Barrett was the senior director of research and programs at CureSearch for Children’s Cancer. She also established the Human Cancer Models Initiative at the Office of Cancer Genomics at the National Cancer Institute and completed postdoctoral research training at the Pittsburgh Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease at the University of Pittsburgh. Barrett holds a PhD in cancer biology from Vanderbilt University.
Hermela Assefa supports the SPARC Rare Disease and Oncology focus areas. Her background in public health research and health equity, with experience in community engagement, project coordination, and strategic planning. Previously, at Pyxis Partners, Assefa led engagement efforts for pediatric partners of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) All of Us Research Program. At Children’s National Hospital, she coordinated care and services for low-income Black women as part of a maternal mental health research initiative. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public health with a concentration in sociology from Franklin & Marshall College.
Elizabeth Burke focuses on philanthropic investment in rare diseases and cancers, leveraging her expertise in rare disease research, including neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Previously, Burke was a scientist in the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, where she managed patient matching, data sharing, and biospecimen repository and coordinated research focused on extremely rare or novel disorders. She holds a PhD in molecular medicine and translational science from Wake Forest University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Carleton College.
Nadia Penrod leverages her interdisciplinary scientific expertise in biomedicine and informatics toward initiatives in SPARC’s Rare Diseases focus area. Previously, as an academic scientist, she built a diverse research portfolio spanning cancer genomics, molecular pharmacology, and mind-body medicine; as a science writer, she covered topics in sustainable agriculture and food for health. Penrod holds a PhD in experimental and molecular medicine from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College and a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Kara Whelply has supported a range of SPARC’s initiatives from bipolar disorder to follicular lymphoma. Previously, she was an ORISE fellow at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the US FDA, where she assessed regulatory data and knowledge management systems to improve efficiency and workflow for regulatory reviewers and administrators. Whelply holds a master of business administration and a master of public health with a concentration in epidemiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama.
Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children and teens. A transformative philanthropic gift is now reshaping the field by supporting new therapies, patient care, and collaborative research.
Childhood brain cancers are among the rarest and most difficult to treat, but new models of collaboration are changing what’s possible. This article explores how philanthropy, advocacy, and cross-sector partnerships are breaking down barriers and accelerating progress toward better treatments.
The Milken Institute Center for Strategic Philanthropy celebrates a $96 million gift to Children’s National Hospital supporting research, innovation, and family care for children with brain cancer.
