#IWantToBe
The OSU With Purpose "I Want to Be" campaign communicates the fact that children are more than the cancer they have and that they have the potential to grow to be whatever they have dreamed of being - whether that's a doctor, superhero, teacher or otherwise.
Sam's Story
Sam's Story
Sam Lee was diagnosed with DIPG, a terminal type of brain cancer, when he was just two years old. In his short life, he taught his parents, the founders of With Purpose, about the reality of unconditional love, the privilege of having the ability to see a problem and make a change, and the path to happiness.
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Erin Benson
Founder and Executive Director
Erin holds a B.S. in communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a M.A. in communications from the University of Minnesota. She is a writer, a devoted yogi and an eternal optimist. Erin lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, Mike, and twin daughters Ada and Mae.
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"I didn't know how slow progress has been for most types of childhood cancer until my son was diagnosed, and we were told there was nothing doctors could do to save him. I know we can do better. I intend to make people aware of this problem when they are young so they carry the mission forward and disrupt the current state of affairs in the childhood cancer industry."
With Purpose
Lack of funding for research
With Purpose supports advocacy and awareness efforts that attempt to persuade the NCI to designate a higher percentage of research dollars to childhood cancers.
Lack of profitability for pharmaceutical companies
With Purpose is working to pass the RACE for Children Act, which would require companies developing cancer drugs to undertake studies of their drug in children when the molecular target of their drug is relevant to a children’s cancer.
Lack of 'proof of concept' research
With Purpose supports the Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, a nonprofit biotech that translates discovery research into real clinical trials and, one day soon, life-saving treatments.
With Purpose is a youth and community-led movement dedicated to making sure kids with cancer have access to safe AND effective treatment options. They believe kids with cancer should have hope for a bright future. You can learn more at with-purpose.org.
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Only 4 new treatments for childhood cancer have been FDA approved in the last 30 years. Families battling childhood cancer deserve better. They attack three specific main points in the childhood cancer research process:
FAQ
What is the #IWantToBe Challenge?
The #IWantToBe Challenge is a part of OSU With Purpose’s #IWantToBe campaign, which communicates the fact that children are more than the cancer they have and that they have the potential to grow to be whatever they have dreamed of being — whether that's a doctor, superhero, teacher, etc.
How do I participate in the #IWantToBe Challenge?
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Accept: Accept the challenge;
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Recreate: Recreate a photo of yourself;
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Nominate: Challenge three other people to take this challenge;
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Upload: Upload your recreation;
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Give: Make a donation to With Purpose here.
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Do I have to donate if I take the challenge?
No, by participating in the #IWantToBe Challenge, you’re already raising awareness of the lack of treatment options for childhood cancer! Making a donation, however, will help With Purpose target its three main points in the childhood cancer research process:
Lack of funding for research
Lack of “proof of concept” research
Lack of profitability for pharmaceutical companies