Mission: By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids!
Childhood Cancer Campaign
The Childhood Cancer Campaign's mission statement is: "Optimist International shall be the leading force to rid the world of childhood cancer."
Providing the Care ... Finding the Cure
Optimist International has partnered with Johns Hopkins University to further efforts for finding a cure for childhood cancer. On March 24, 2004, Optimist International's 2003-2004 President, Dwaine Sievers, and Dr. Robert Arceci, director of pediatric oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, signed an agreement that would create the Optimist International Research Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology.
Optimist International met a $1 million commitment in December 2009 to establish the Endowed Research Fellowship. The fellowship will move forward research of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in the university's Division of Pediatric Oncology.
Locally, families of children in southern Jefferson County are given gasoline gift cards to provide financial help so that parents can take their children to treatments. In addition, gifts are purchased for the children.