Dayton, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth Director Kara Wente announced a $5 million statewide investment to support several research studies focused on improving how childhood cancers are detected and treated. The announcement was made during an event at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, one of the key grant recipients.
“Pediatric cancer research is vital to improve survival rates and understand the unique biology of childhood cancers,” said Governor DeWine. “Funding research that is driven by Ohio’s best and brightest children’s hospitals and researchers demonstrates once again that Ohio is a leader in caring for, prioritizing, and supporting children and families.”
The funding, made available through the state’s fiscal year 2026-2027 biennial budget, will be distributed to five Ohio-based healthcare and nonprofit research institutions. The grant recipients include:
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Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
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Cleveland Clinic
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Dayton Children’s Hospital
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Maple Tree Cancer Alliance
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Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
These institutions were chosen through a careful selection process involving a review team that evaluated proposals based on study design, experience, and their potential to deliver real-world improvements in the lives of children and families in Ohio affected by cancer.
Advancing Early Detection with Less Invasive Methods
Among the funded projects is a promising new approach from the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Their research will focus on using a blood-based liquid biopsy to detect cancers earlier and monitor high-risk children without the need for frequent invasive procedures like MRIs or CT scans.
“We are grateful for the funding from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth and for Governor DeWine’s unfailing support to improve child health,” said Dennis Durbin, MD, MSCE, president of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Our investigators, Dr. Samara Potter and Dr. Katherine Miller, have developed an assay using advanced sequencing to detect tumor DNA through a simple blood draw. This funding will expand their research into a more cost-effective and less invasive test for children and young adults with a high risk of developing cancer or a recurrence of cancer, leading to improved outcomes for these patients.”
Impact of Pediatric Cancer Research on Survival Rates
Health officials emphasized how much progress has already been made in childhood cancer treatment. “Today, better than 80% of Ohio children diagnosed with cancer will survive these cancers, up from around 20% in the 1970s,” said Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, director of the Ohio Department of Health. “We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a lot of work to do. These grant dollars will advance research that helps pediatric cancer survivors live longer.”
Kara Wente, Director of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, highlighted the initiative’s long-term value for children and their families. “Investing in pediatric cancer research is one of the many ways Governor DeWine continues to prioritize Ohio’s children. This funding will advance critical research that helps Ohio’s children grow, thrive, and reach their full potential,” she said.
Work Group Established to Guide Progress and Accountability
To ensure the research efforts have the greatest impact, the Department of Children and Youth has formed the Pediatric Cancer Research Work Group. The group includes researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, families, and other stakeholders who will provide ongoing feedback and guidance throughout the duration of the projects. The group held its first session in Columbus on December 4, 2025, where each grant recipient shared their proposed research and received input from members.
The work group will continue meeting over the next two years to evaluate progress and ensure that the state’s investment translates into meaningful results for children and families across Ohio. All funded research must be conducted entirely within the state.
With this targeted investment and collaborative effort, Ohio continues to position itself as a national leader in pediatric health innovation and cancer research.
