About the Stewart Initiative
“Much of the exciting work in survivorship is not reaching the folks who need it most : pediatric survivors, their parents, family physicians, and especially young adult survivors.
Our purpose in sponsoring the Stewart Family Survivorship Initiative is to develop more effective ways to disseminate life-saving information. ”
The Stewart Initiative for Childhood Cancer Survivors is a program of the Children’s Cancer Cause.
Addressing the unique needs and challenges of childhood cancer survivors has been a core focus of the Children’s Cancer Cause since the nonprofit’s founding in 1999. Thanks to generous support from the Stewart Family, we are able to do even more through our Stewart Initiative programs.
By delivering resources and interactive educational elements, we aim to empower the nation’s 500,000 childhood cancer survivors to be strong self-advocates for their long-term care.
Meet the Stewart Initiative’s Advisory Council →
About Children’s Cancer Cause
Children’s Cancer Cause, formerly known as the Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy, is the leading national advocacy organization working to achieve access to less toxic and more effective pediatric cancer therapies; to expand resources for research and specialized care; and to address the unique needs and challenges of childhood cancer survivors and their families.
Children’s Cancer Cause leads efforts to ensure that these needs and perspectives of children with cancer are integrated into the highest deliberations on health care and cancer policy at the federal level.
About the Stewart Family
John Stewart and his wife Nancy of Knoxville, Tennessee, have been active in the Children’s Cancer Cause since its founding in 1999. Their three-year-old granddaughter, Sylvie Stewart, died in 2000 of a brain tumor after a valiant 18-month struggle.
John pursued public service his entire life, working within the U.S. Congress, NASA, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the National Academy for Public Administration. He also led or was active in a range of non-governmental organizations, ranging from Tennesseans for Fair Taxation to the Tennessee Health Care Campaign. John passed away in September of 2021, leaving behind a remarkable and lasting legacy.
Nancy also has experience as a legislative staff on Capitol Hill and also as an educator. She is very active in the community, as a board member, church leader, and political activist. She has also served as the President of the League of Women Voters at the county and state levels.
“John and I resolved that the best way to honor the memory of our beloved Sylvie was to help other kids and their families engaged in the same battle.”
— Nancy Stewart
Guiding Principles of The Stewart Initiative
Serve as a catalyst for enhancing the results of promising research in pediatric cancer survivorship. The goal is to amplify and build on, not compete with, promising research outcomes.
Achieve sustainability for the initiative, in part by seeking project partners.
Focus on the challenges facing survivors and their families and their need for relevant guidance and realistic action plans, with special attention to the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.
Develop effective outreach strategies that focus on survivors and their families, with a special emphasis on minority and underserved populations.