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 at that time kids cancer only got 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.
At the Super Sam Foundation, we are not just a pediatric cancer foundation; we are a beacon of hope, a sanctuary of support, and a driving force for change. 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.
In the relentless pursuit of a cure for childhood cancer, we have witnessed progress; yet, the battle is far from over. While funding support from the National Cancer Institute has recently doubled, now constituting 8.5% from a mere 4% when Sam embarked on his journey, we believe this is just the beginning. Sam’s form of cancer, Rhabdomyosarcoma, receives much less than 1%. We refuse to accept the status quo. We fight not just for Sam, but for every brave child facing big battles. We fight for All the Kids.
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
Heather Harrison
Operations Director
Debbie Bruns
Treasurer
Sara Schaefer
Managing Director
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 Santhuff, 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.
AVENGERS IN ACTION
Ava’s Avengers allows local youth the opportunity to use their voices while channeling their fear, pain, and anxiety by putting HOPE into action.
Enjoy a quick video recap of their recent trip to CureFest in Washington D.C. where SSF joined foundations from all over the country to network and share about the work they do. The Night of Golden Lights ceremony was filled with inspiring survivors, beautiful music, dance, and our very own Ava took the stage to share about her amazingly awesome Avengers. She shared a siblings perspective and spoke about how “cancer is a family fight” – highlighting how its brutal effect ripple out to cousins, friends, classmates and communities.
Several Avengers took on Capitol Hill for “Climb the Hill” – meeting with legislators to seek support for important legislation and share their stories. Climb the Hill at #Curefest is a youth-only event, and as return-advocates, Ava and Lauren were asked to be the group leaders!
Across town, other Avengers mentored a youth field trip to the International Spy Museum. The rest of the crew attended sessions at Brain Storm Summit; hearing from doctors, researchers, tech specialists, White House officials, and more.
These kids mean business and their actions show their determination to drive real change.
Pictured Left to Right: JC, Casper, Cash, Zephe, Isabelle, and Ava Santhuff.
