The Isabella Santos Foundation

For almost five years, Isabella defied the odds. In 2007, Isabella was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a rare and deadly cancer that affects approximately 750 children a year. The survival rate for children diagnosed with high risk Neuroblastoma is less than 40% and less than 5% once the child has relapsed. However, countless doctors called Isabella a miracle. Relapse after relapse, she kept fighting…and kept beating it. Unfortunately, in June 2012, her parents were told the cancer had returned and this time, it would be relentless. Isabella’s fight ended on June 28th, 2012.

In 2009, the Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) was established through Isabella’s parents to raise awareness and research funds for Neuroblastoma, and received it’s 501(c)(3) status in 2010. At the time, Isabella’s parents were in hopes that ISF could help fund research projects potentially to save Isabella’s life. Although Isabella is no longer with us, we hope another child can be saved and will continue to raise money and awareness for the awful disease that stole her life. Over the last six years ISF has donated over $1,500,000 for Neuroblastoma research and other children’s cancer charities.

ISF benefits hospitals/organizations that specialize in Neuroblastoma research such as Children’s Oncology Group, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in Manhattan, Helen Devos Children’s Hospital and The NMRTC, The Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia (CHOP), Van Andel Institute (VAI) in Michigan as well as various other national and local research hospitals such as Levine Children’s Hospital here in Charlotte. We also raise awareness and funds for charities that directly impact children with cancer such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte and support our local blood bank Community Blood Center of the Carolinas.