Statements

Mission

Cooper Trooper Foundation's mission is to champion the fight against childhood cancer through sibling support and research funding.

Background

In September 2008, Cooper Cook was diagnosed with Infantile Fibrosarcoma at the age of only 8 weeks old. Unfortunately, over 14,000 families per year are diagnosed with childhood cancer. It is with this overwhelming news that a child, their parents, siblings, extended family, and friends begin a journey that no one would choose. It was because of their experience as parents of a child that had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, that Rod & Missy launched the Cooper Trooper Foundation. CTF's mission came out of Rod & Missy's awareness of the lack of support for their other two sons during the process. They realized that more resources were needed to help his brothers with understanding Cooper's diagnosis and the impact on their family. Thus, the idea of Cooper Trooper Courage kits for the well siblings of a child diagnosed with cancer, was born. It is a resource to help with cancer education, to recognize sibling courage, and to promote family care. Most importantly, the Courage Kit is a tangible way for these siblings to be reminded that they matter and are an important part of the family, particularly in a time when a lot of the attention is suddenly on the sick child. The Cooper Trooper Foundation's vision expanded as they learned that only 4% of research dollars are directed to pediatric cancer research, specifically, even though it is the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. Because of this, the family wanted to help bridge the gap in any way possible and started an Endowment Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research. CTF formed a partnership with Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital for this Endowed Fund, with the hope of playing a small role in the fight to find a cure and better treatment options for children with cancer.

Impact

The Cooper Trooper Foundation's primary fundraiser, a pumpkin patch, continues to grow and 2022 was our 12th year in operation. Because of the success of the Pumpkin Patch, CTF has increased awareness in the community and raised funds to support our mission. CTF continued working with Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt to reach families impacted by childhood cancer with our Courage Kit for siblings. To date, CTF has given $435,000 toward childhood cancer research, due to our success with our pumpkin patch fundraiser. Our goals are to increase awareness and reach to siblings of children diagnosed with cancer. After all, research has shown that siblings endure some of the greatest emotional impact and long term adverse effects. We hope to continue the momentum and increase the numbers of kits mailed out across the country. CTF also hopes to access additional hospital partnerships to expand our reach. Finally, CTF will continue funding the Endowed Fund for Childhood Cancer Research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. Furthermore, CTF has given $100,000 as part of a campaign to fund a private family infusion room at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. The purpose of this room is to allow a space for privacy when a child is receiving chemotherapy. Currently, children of all ages, must sit in a cramped clinic area (with teens and small children having to be together) to receive chemo. With the expansion of the hospital, the oncology floor will be able to greater serve the growing number of children diagnosed with cancer, and this private family infusion room is one of 10 created in that space. CTF is honored to fully fund one of those rooms.

Needs

1. Volunteers during the month of October at our Pumpkin Patch fundraiser 2. Sponsorships to cover Pumpkin Patch expenses. 3. Increased Social Media presence 4. Development of a Spring Fundraiser 5. Increase private donation commitments with matching gifts from companies.

CEO Statement

It was because of our experience with Cooper, that we started the foundation. We are grateful that Cooper's story is one that is currently cancer-free, but the fragility of life and our knowledge of what it is like to live in the world of childhood cancer will never be far from mind. That is why we will continue to fight for and with these families who endure the unimaginable and want nothing more than for their child to live out his or her hopes and dreams, in a life without cancer. The Cooper Trooper Foundation will continue to pour money into childhood cancer research and offer support to the siblings, because we believe that this opportunity grew out of our own circumstances. We want to let these families (and in particular the siblings) know that they are not forgotten and we celebrate and encourage their bravery in the midst of the 'storms' they are experiencing.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Medical Research  - Cancer Research
Secondary Category:	Mental Health & Crisis Intervention  - Alliances & Advocacy
Tertiary Category:	Youth Development  - Alliances & Advocacy

Areas Served

Courage Kits can be requested online through a brief form and sent anywhere in the United States. Additionally, hospitals across the country partner with CTF to share this resource with families they serve through either having them on hand to distribute or requesting online on behalf of the family. The sibling of the child with cancer will receive a package just for them in the mail, during a time when most of the gifts and attention are focused on their brother or sister.

TN - Williamson

National