Progress in paediatric brain cancer research doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when researchers, clinicians, families and philanthropic organisations come together with a shared goal: creating better outcomes for children.
At RCD Foundation, collaboration has always been central to how we invest in research. We know that meaningful progress takes more than funding alone — it requires world-class expertise, rigorous evaluation and strong partnerships that help move promising ideas from the lab toward children and families who urgently need new options.
That’s why RCD is proud to partner with the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the world’s largest organisation dedicated exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research.
Together with The Morgan Adams Foundation and COG, RCD is supporting ACNS2422 — an upcoming clinical trial focused on children with ependymoma, the same type of tumour Connor had.
More than a single clinical trial, ACNS2422 represents something bigger: a shared commitment to advancing paediatric brain cancer research through collaboration, early-stage investment and collective expertise.
As explored in a recent article by The COG Foundation, bringing innovative research to clinical trial stage requires not only scientific excellence, but organisations willing to back promising ideas early.
Early-stage research plays a critical role in helping scientists better understand how cancers form, spread and respond to treatment — often years before therapies reach children in clinical settings. Philanthropic investment can help create opportunities that may otherwise struggle to move forward.
At RCD, collaborative funding enables us to support more research opportunities overall while drawing on the expertise and infrastructure needed to carefully evaluate and progress the most promising work.
As Kim from RCD shared in the article:
“Groups like COG provide that base of expertise and resources to actually make it work.”
And importantly:
“It’s an efficient and effective way to invest — everyone wins.”
For Joan Slaughter, Co-founder of The Morgan Adams Foundation, the mission is deeply personal.
“Research is hope in action. More than hope, let’s move it forward.”
That sentiment reflects what drives us at RCD every day.
We believe collaboration creates possibility. And when foundations, researchers and families unite behind the same goal, we give children facing brain cancer the best chance at better outcomes.
While this story was originally published by The COG Foundation in the US, it reflects something we strongly believe at RCD — that research moves further and faster when organisations work together.
