Florida grants millions to Johns Hopkins All Children’s for pediatric cancer research

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital has received a $7.5 million state grant to advance pediatric cancer research in Florida.

The funding comes from the Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator Grant program, a statewide initiative aimed at enhancing cancer care for children.

The grant will support Johns Hopkins All Children’s Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute through 2026 and can be renewed for more funding in future years.

“This investment by the state of Florida can propel Johns Hopkins All Children’s to the forefront of pediatric cancer innovation,” said Dr. Cassandra Josephson, director of the institute. “Patients and families deserve the best cutting-edge care available right here in Florida.”

What the grant supports

The hospital’s proposal, called Florida’s Catalyst for Childhood Cancer Cures, focuses on five goals:

Expanding access to clinical trials
Creating a statewide database to match patients with trials
Building a network to speed up research and clinical trials
Studying ways to strengthen the immune system against cancer
Advancing new gene and cell therapy treatments for children

The hospital leads the state in patient participation in cancer trials and operates Florida’s only accredited pediatric biorepository.

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This facility stores biological samples to help researchers identify early signs of disease and enhance disease prevention.

Statewide impact

The new program, supported by Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis, is part of a five-year plan that could provide up to $37.5 million for each of Florida’s specialty children’s hospitals.

The goal is to ensure that families can access world-class cancer care without leaving the state.

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Johns Hopkins All Children’s has already invested millions in data systems and research partnerships.

The hospital collaborates with other hospitals and technology companies to analyze patterns and enhance treatment through data-driven insights and machine learning.

Why it matters

Florida has the third-largest pediatric population in the nation. Each year, about 15,000 children and teens in the United States are diagnosed with cancer.

Yet, only about 4 percent of national cancer funding is allocated to pediatric research.

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With this grant, Johns Hopkins All Children’s will expand trials, increase access to care, and help children with cancer live longer, healthier lives.

“We have been building a culture of innovation and discovery,” Dr. Josephson said. “These new resources will allow us to accelerate discoveries and cures, creating brighter tomorrows for children throughout the state and beyond.”