Wolfson Children’s Hospital receives $7.5 million state grant for pediatric cancer program

Yesterday, at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced $30 million in grant funding awarded to Florida’s four specialty-licensed children’s hospitals to elevate pediatric cancer treatment, innovation and research.

As one of Florida’s four non-profit, specialty-licensed children’s hospitals, Wolfson Children’s Hospital received a $7.5 million renewable grant to support the continued growth and elevation of its pediatric cancer program. This grant is through the Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, which was created to advance Florida as a leader in pediatric cancer research and treatment.

“We are grateful to Governor DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their commitment to advancing pediatric cancer treatment and research in our state,” said Allegra C. Jaros, MBA, president of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. “This investment is a critical step forward as we strengthen the infrastructure needed to elevate our pediatric cancer program, ensuring that children and families in Northeast Florida can receive top-quality care right here in our community.”

Earlier this year, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis joined Florida’s Specialty Hospitals for Children at Wolfson Children’s Hospital to announce this initiative. These four hospitals – which include Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Wolfson Children’s Hospital – solely provide care for children and serve the majority of Florida’s pediatric patients with inpatient admissions for complex cancer conditions or rare tumors.

Over the next five years, this renewable grant funding will accelerate progress in four critical areas: expanding access to advanced treatment options, recruiting and retaining top-tier pediatric oncology specialists, investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure and driving innovative research that offers families renewed hope and more treatment options.

“Our children deserve to be able to get the very best care right here at home,” said Jaros. “Wolfson Children’s Hospital is committed to meeting that goal – for the children who inspire us and the families that trust us.”