Pediatric cancer research & survivorship
Restoring childhood after pediatric cancer.
The Navis Foundation was born from one family’s journey and the belief that every child deserves more than survival. We fund research into rare pediatric tumors and help survivors reclaim the joy, movement and moments cancer tried to take away.
All proceeds support Dr. Michael Ortiz’s research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
This holiday season
The Unstoppable Giving Tree.
Pick a tag and give a pediatric cancer survivor the gift of play. Every gift helps fund Unstoppable Grants for sports, fitness and recreation.
$25Give the gift of play
Help a child get back to an activity they love.
Give $25 (opens Zeffy in a new tab)
$50Give the gift of confidence
Help a survivor return to the sports and activities that bring them joy.
Give $50 (opens Zeffy in a new tab)
$75Give the gift of movement
Help fund lessons or participation costs for a pediatric cancer survivor.
Give $75 (opens Zeffy in a new tab)
$100Get them back in the game
Help a survivor return to their favorite sport.
Give $100 (opens Zeffy in a new tab)
$250Make them unstoppable
Help fund an Unstoppable Grant and give the gift of a brighter, more active childhood.
Give $250 (opens Zeffy in a new tab)
Tags open our secure Zeffy donation form with the amount filled in. You can change it before you give.
Our story
“Your child has cancer.”
Four words that changed everything.
Our daughter, Alessia, was just three years old when a routine visit led to the discovery of a tumor on her kidney. Within days, she underwent surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center under the care of Dr. Michael Ortiz, and began 20 weeks of chemotherapy for Stage 2 Wilms tumor.
Today, Alessia has reached five years of no evidence of disease. But for children with cancer, surviving treatment is not always the end of the story. That realization transformed our mission.
- Five years of birthdays
- Five years of holidays
- Five years of family vacations
- Five years of school and friendships
- A love for gymnastics
“Alessia has been the inspiration behind the Drive the Dream of Hope outings.”Cindy & Paul Fegan
The Unstoppable Grant Program
Helping kids be kids again.
Our grants help pediatric cancer patients and survivors reclaim the moments cancer tried to take away, by supporting their participation in sports, fitness, wellness and recreational activities.
We believe movement, connection and play are an important part of healing.
- Soccer
- Gymnastics
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Dance
- Fitness
- Wellness
- Recreation
Now open for applicationsWho can apply
- Children under the age of 18
- Diagnosed with pediatric cancer or currently in survivorship
- Cleared by their medical team for the requested activity
- Living in the United States
- Participating in, or enrolling in, a sports, wellness or recreational activity
Approved grants are paid directly to the activity or sports provider.
Where your support goes
Research that builds hope for families.
Every dollar raised at our events supports research into rare pediatric tumors and cancers, in pursuit of better, less toxic treatments for children.
Dr. Michael Ortiz
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Dr. Ortiz’s research focuses on rare pediatric tumors and cancers. Alessia was in his care at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and today all proceeds from our events support his work.
The challenge
Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the U.S.
- 4%
of the National Cancer Institute’s budget has historically gone to research focused on childhood cancer.
- 60+
drugs approved by the FDA for childhood cancers since the 1950s. Many were first developed for adults.
- 40+
children in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with cancer every day.
- 95%
of childhood cancer survivors have a chronic health condition by age 45.
Sources: American Cancer Society, Cancer Statistics 2026 (opens in a new tab) and National Cancer Institute (opens in a new tab) and NCI Wilms tumor treatment (PDQ) (opens in a new tab) and St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (opens in a new tab) and Children’s Cancer Cause (opens in a new tab) and FDA pediatric oncology drug approvals (opens in a new tab). More about the challenge
Events
Every year, a whole community shows up.
Golf in the spring, tennis in the fall, and a community that keeps growing. Thank you for showing up for kids.
All events and recaps
Thank you
What began as one family’s story has become a community united by hope.
Thank you to every sponsor, golfer, player, donor and volunteer who stands beside families like ours.
Our 2026 sponsors and partners
Help a child not only survive, but thrive.
Every donation supports pediatric cancer research and helps survivors reclaim their childhood. Together, we are restoring childhood.
The Navis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.