The Bear Fund
Your support makes it possible to provide pediatric services for children.
Fight Cancer Like a Bear
In the fall of 2019, Nick and Heather Baker's youngest child Barrett ("Bear") was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer. Bear endured over 2 years of chemotherapy and 8 surgeries, including a liver transplant, to help him reach remission. His resiliency is a source of inspiration for the family and their legion of friends.
In 2021, Nick and Heather joined with the Cancer Support Community to establish The Bear Fund to provide navigation resource services and financial assistance so every child can Fight Cancer Like a Bear.
The Need for The Bear Fund
9,550 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025, and after accidents, cancer is the second leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 14.
- The average cost associated with childhood cancer is $833,000 for one child and one diagnosis (The Economic Impact of Childhood Cancer)
- 25% of families lose more than 40% of their annual household income as a result of childhood cancer non-treatment expenses (lost hours of work, job, additional childcare). (2024 ACS Facts and Figures Report.)
- Parents report worsening of their own health 6 to 18 months following their child’s diagnosis. (2024 Coalition Against Childhood Cancer)
The Impact of The Bear Fund
2000+ Families Supported
Grants have been awarded to over 1,600 children and families, more than 40% of whom are Hispanic or Latino.
$1.7 Million Raised
Since the program began, The Bear Fund has raised more than $1.7 million to support pediatric cancer patients and their families directly.
100% Acceptance
Certified applications have a 100% acceptance rate, and funds processed within 48 hours.
Bear Fund Recipients
We would like to extend not only our gratitude but our extreme appreciation for all of the help you have given us during our time of need. We thank all of the wonderful, kind, and generous people who not only work for the Bear Fund foundation but the people who donate.
Parents of Callum
Neuroblastoma, The Children's Hospital of Colorado
To most, it’s just money — but to me, it meant so much more. Thank you for being our light when this momma only had fumes left.
Syvannah C, Parent of Erynn
Myxoid Glioneuronal Tumor, The Children's Hospital of Colorado
Your generosity has meant so much more than financial assistance. It has provided peace of mind, reduced stress, and reminded us that we are not facing this battle alone. The kindness and support shown by The Bear Fund have made a meaningful difference in our lives, and we are incredibly thankful for your help.
Angel L, Parent of Adrian
Acute lymphocytic leukemia, Children's Hospital of Colorado
Because of your generosity, my family received help when we needed it most. The support you provided helped my mom pay important bills, buy food for our family, and cover transportation costs so I could continue receiving medical care. That support helped relieve some of the stress my family was carrying and allowed us to focus more on my health and treatment. Even though I may not have all the words to describe how much your kindness means to us, I want you to know that your help made a real difference in our lives. Knowing that there are people and organizations who care about families like mine gave us hope during a difficult time.
Ariana, Bear Fund Recipient
Sickle Cell, Children's Hospital of Colorado
Words cannot fully capture our greatest gratitude for your incredible generosity. The $1,500 contribution, along with the additional $100 Lyft Credit, has been an absolute blessing. Balancing daily life and responsibilities with five boys keeps me constantly on our toes, and your support provides us with far more than just financial relief—it gives us true peace of mind and encouragement.
April H, Parent of Cody
Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors, Children's Hospital of Colorado
Thank you, I am so sorry for being so emotional. The pain medication is so important. We were giving her ½ a pill since we were running out, but she has been in so much pain still. She is supposed to be taking 2. Just thank you. I honestly have no words to thank you, just thank you
Phoenix Children's Hospital
Grants for Special Circumstances
When extraordinary circumstances arise, The Bear Fund provides Special Circumstance Grants to help families navigate unexpected challenges that fall outside a traditional emergency grant. Over the past few years, we've awarded nearly $75,000 in Special Circumstance Grants, helping families facing some of the most difficult moments of their child's cancer journey. These grants provide flexible support when families need it most, allowing them to focus on their child—not the financial burden.
Special Circumstance Grants have helped families with:
- Travel and extended lodging for treatment, including trips to distant or specialized treatment centers
- Housing expenses, including rent, mortgage, utility, and heating fuel payments to help families remain in their homes
- Medical expenses and equipment, including prescriptions, deductibles, counseling services, wheelchairs, and home accessibility modifications
- Transportation expenses, including emergency vehicle repairs and travel to treatment
- Childcare and other essential family expenses
- Funeral and end-of-life expenses
- Creating meaningful moments and special memories for children receiving hospice or end-of-life care
- Other urgent, family-specific needs reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis
At its heart, The Bear Fund is about wrapping families in support during one of the hardest times imaginable, and Special Circumstance Grants allow us to respond with compassion and flexibility, helping families navigate unexpected challenges with one less burden to carry.
Other Ways to Show Your Support
Run, bike, climb, walk, BBQ, or host a special event for a fantastic cause. Reach out, and we can help you or your company set up a giving page to support the amazing work of The Bear Fund.
Thank you to Boldyn.
Boldyn chose their company holiday party to launch a giving campaign to celebrate the work of the Bear Fund and to offer employees the chance to donate individually along with their corporate match. The campaign raised over $20,000 for the Fund over the course of one month.
Thank you to Tim.
Tim chose The Bear Fund as the recipient for his fundraiser to run the Livermore Valley Half Marathon. He raised over $8,000, which will directly impact pediatric patients and their families.
"If you grew up with any source of privilege in your life or are simply looking to give back, I’d encourage you to find ways to help folks in your community in any way, shape, or form. Not only will it help a ton of people in desperate need, it will also fill you with a sense of purpose and gratitude that’s fulfilling and infectious, fueling similar initiatives across your circle."
– Tim
Share a Message of Thanks
Has your family received support through The Bear Fund grant? We’d love to hear how it helped you. Stories like yours can help us keep the fund going.
I wanted to thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart for this gift card! It’s going to be so helpful for my daughters and I to purchase groceries and other things that they are in need of. Your generosity truly made my week! Thank you so much!
I wanted to take a moment to thank The Bear Fund. Thank you for being there for this family in our time of need. Things are really hard right now, I'm not able to work right now because of the care my son needs plus all the hospital visits and just my family as a whole. You all stepped in and made sure our rent and utilities were paid and we appreciate it so very much!
Carla is a 17-year-old cancer patient who was admitted to the hospital last fall due to a relapse of her leukemia, necessitating a bone marrow transplant (BMT).
Carla and her family (mother, father and 10-year old sibling) relocated to Los Angeles for Carla to receive the BMT. Carla faced multiple complications from the treatment, making it impossible for her mother to work. Her mother spent time between Carla's bedside and caring for Carla's sibling while Carla's father took odd jobs.
Through support from The Bear Fund, CSC was able to help them put food on the table, buy a meal from our cafeteria, and meet other basic needs.
I want to personally thank the Bear Fund for the very generous gift. We live over 150 miles away from CHLA so it will definitely help with lodging and expenses. Thank you so much.
I want to sincerely thank you for your generous support of $500. Your kindness came at a time when it was truly needed, and it lifted such a weight off our shoulders. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being such a blessing to us. We are deeply grateful and will always remember your kindness.
The Bear Fund grant has significantly helped my family with the course of treatment throughout my child's cancer journey. Beginning with out-of-pocket costs for medications, which now has turned into out-of-pocket costs for eyedrops, they also have helped provide us with groceries, gas, and food during our traveling back and forth for our 2-hour drive to and from the hospital. We truly appreciate the support!
Voices of The Bear Fund
Help Kids Like Emma
Emma was 13 when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She traveled 100 miles roundtrip from her home in Ohio for 30 treatment visits at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The Bear Fund helped Emma’s family afford gas so she could get…
Support The Bear Fund
Your support makes it possible to provide pediatric services for children like Emma and for other families across the country.
Our Hospital Partners
Please contact your hospital’s social worker to fill out the Bear Fund application.
