First Lady Casey DeSantis participated in a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot event to raise awareness for pediatric cancer and honor Griffin Anderson, a young child battling Ewing's sarcoma. The event took place in Florida, focusing on highlighting the challenges faced by children with cancer.
Griffin Anderson, a two-year-old from Jacksonville, was initially hospitalized after an accident raised concerns about a clavicle fracture. However, further examinations revealed a mass along his humerus, later diagnosed as Ewing's sarcoma. This rare form of cancer affects only 200 to 250 individuals annually in the United States. Despite undergoing chemotherapy and blood transfusions, doctors determined that amputation was necessary to save his life. Griffin has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability in facing these challenges.
First Lady Casey DeSantis emphasized the ongoing fight against cancer: “The battle against cancer is ongoing, and we will not stop until it’s defeated,” she said. “We are proud to continue promoting advanced health care research and supporting Floridians like Griffin as they continue their fight to defeat this awful disease.”
In 2022, Florida introduced Florida Cancer Connect—a platform providing updated information on cancer research and survivor stories. It assists Floridians in understanding research programs, finding specialized healthcare providers, navigating insurance complexities, accessing caregiver resources, and hearing survivor experiences.
Under Governor DeSantis's leadership, the state also established the Cancer Connect Collaborative to enhance its approach to combating cancer. The initiative focuses on improving data accessibility, sharing best practices for treatment among entities, increasing transparency about preventive measures and causes of cancer, fostering innovation by removing bureaucratic barriers, and securing funding for cutting-edge research.
Florida allocated over $232 million for cancer research this year. This includes $60 million dedicated to the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund—a significant increase—and $127.5 million for the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program.
For more information about Griffin Anderson or support options available through Florida Cancer Connect visit flcancerconnect.com.