Our Founding Hero
Sam’s prayer and wish was to help all the kids.
Our Story
THE SUPER SAM FOUNDATION was founded to fund the major research gap in pediatric cancer.
This was our last and final promise to Sam… we promised to keep his mission alive and to do everything we could to help other kids be more comfortable. When Sam was in treatment for proton radiation, and we were half way across the country to receive the best treatment possible, he was missing his sister and daddy. He was sick, hurting and sad. He asked, “why do I have cancer?” I replied, “I don’t know, but we are going to beat it.” He asked “but not all kids do… why not?” With tears starting, I said “because the doctors need more money to find the cure, but they are trying super hard.” Sam: “we can give them my piggy bank, would that be enough?” I explained a little more about government funding and how kids cancer only get 4% and how we wanted really badly to make that higher. His answer was simple “Maybe if we say Please.” From that point on, “money for the doctors” was a regular topic of discussion. This is why our promise is to fight for All the Kids … research, comfort, support and awareness.
Super Sam Foundation is a pediatric cancer foundation focused on raising awareness, funding research and supporting families in the fight. We are a 501(c)3 pediatric cancer foundation with a mission focused on raising awareness, funding research, and supporting families in the fight. We are determined to fight for All the Kids. Less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s funding supports our kids in the fight of their lives. Sam’s form of cancer, Rhabdomyosarcoma, receives much less than 1%. Please join our mission to fight for All the Kids through research, comfort, support and awareness.
Help Us Reach Our Goal
The Super Sam Foundation has a goal to fund at least one research grant each year. The rest of the funds we raise will go to support the children we refer to as Heroes in the Fight by providing Super Sam Comfort Packs. To the Families in the Fight, we will send Ava’s Avengers Sibling Support Packs and Super Caregiver Support Packs. These comforting and practical gifts are already being used to “help All the Kids.”
Our Team
Board of Directors and Advisory Council
Cassie Santhuff
Co-founder and President
Matt Santhuff
Co-founder
Lindsey Hux
Executive Director
Debbie Bruns
Treasurer
Heather Harrison
Secretary
Veronica Salmons
Chair of Wyatt’s Warriors DIPG Division of Super Sam Foundation
Cassie & Matt Santhuff
Kelly Nickelson
Emily Twillman
Chelsey Flynn
Martha Wayne
Gloria Emanuel
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Lauren Jungerman
Sara Jeffrey Borcherding
Pictured Left to Right: Adeline Nickelson, Lauren Riecke, Casper Safranski, Ava Santuff, Isabelle Borcherding, and Lexi Hux
Meet the avengers
adeline
I fight with the Super Sam Foundation because I find it so unfair that there are kids who go through extreme out of date treatments in the hope that they can be healed from an illness that hurts them and their entire family.
My favorite part of fighting with the Super Sam Foundation is going to events we host and helping out.
ava
I fight with the Super Sam Foundation because my twin brother inspired me through his fight with Rhabdomyosarcoma. He fought with kindness, thoughtfulness toward others, and a fierce determination to help “All the Kids.” My brother is Sam – Super Sam.
He fought for “All the Kids” and so do I, but I also fight for “All the Siblings” whose lives are turned upside down too. Siblings fight a different battle – one I understand all too well.
My favorite part of fighting with the Foundation, is that we advocate for change, support heroes AND their siblings, and actually do make a difference. I’m proud of my brother, the Foundation and of my fellow Avengers, who step up every time to fight this awful disease together.
CASPER
I fight with the Super Sam Foundation because after my friend Wyatt got sick, I realized how terrible of a disease this was, so I joined so that I can help as many kids as possible.
My favorite part of fighting with the Super Sam Foundation is hearing about the new research as it is released, and being able to talk to legislators, and make our voices heard.
Isabelle
I fight with the Super Sam Foundation because kids deserve better. My cousin Zac was diagnosed with DIPG 10 years before my friend Wyatt; sadly both lost their fight. In those 10 years there was little to no change in the treatments and that’s not okay. Kids deserve better.
My favorite part of fighting with the Super Sam Foundation is getting to see the change that we can make by using our voice for all the kids!
LAUREN
I started fighting for the Super Sam Foundation when my cousin, Wyatt was diagnosed with brain cancer and I continue to use my voice for those who are unable to fight for themselves.
My favorite part of working with the Super Sam Foundation is definitely getting to spend time with some of the most caring people, doing something that means so much to all of us.
lexi
I choose to fight with the Super Sam Foundation because I want to make a change. I know that childhood cancer deserves more funding and research, and I believe that something needs to happen sooner rather than later.
My favorite part of fighting with the Super Sam Foundation is building Comfort and Sibling Packs to send to children and families. I like the idea that something that I pack makes someone else’s day a little better.
Youth Ambassadors
In 2019, SSF added a new Youth Ambassador Program to allow local youth the opportunity to use their voices while channeling their fear, pain, and anxiety by putting HOPE into action.
Their first task was a trip to Washington, D.C., to advocate for increased funding in the fight against childhood cancer. Each youth had their own personal story to share with our national leaders.
This passionate group has continued to use their voice, spreading awareness at local schools, helping with holiday fun packs for children in the hospital, and more!
In 2022, we decided to merge this group with the Ava’s Avengers team and they are now members of our Junior Board of Super Sam Foundation as well.
Thank you to our sponsors
