What Is The Ansley Foundation?
The Ansley Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Georgia, dedicated to funding Neuroblastoma research and providing support to families and caregivers affected by pediatric cancer. The foundation was established in memory of Ansley Cochran, a young woman who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma as a toddler and fought the disease for 19 remarkable years before passing away on May 22, 2018, at just 21 years old.
The foundation’s mission statement captures both its purpose and its heart: to help beat the odds in childhood cancer. Every dollar donated goes directly toward Neuroblastoma research and toward easing the daily burdens faced by patients, families, and the hospital staff who care for them.
The Story of Ansley Cochran
At the core of The Ansley Foundation is an extraordinary story of courage and perseverance. Ansley Cochran was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma — a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer — when she was still a toddler. What followed was one of the most remarkable fights against childhood cancer in recent memory, spanning nearly two decades of treatments, setbacks, and determined resilience.
In 18 years of fighting cancer, Ansley had never required intensive care. That changed on February 17, 2017, when she was admitted to the ICU after beginning a new treatment. Despite this setback, Ansley continued to fight. She ultimately passed away on May 22, 2018, at 21 years of age, having battled Neuroblastoma for 19 years.
The Ansley Foundation was created to ensure that her fight would not be in vain — that through research funding and family support, other children and families might one day face a different reality than the one Ansley and her family experienced.
What Is Neuroblastoma?
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that develops from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body. It most commonly begins in and around the adrenal glands, though it can also develop in the neck, chest, abdomen, or spine. Neuroblastoma primarily affects children aged five and younger and is one of the most common solid tumor cancers in infants and young children.
It is also one of the most challenging to treat. The disease accounts for a disproportionate share of childhood cancer deaths relative to its prevalence, and treatment-resistant or relapsed Neuroblastoma remains a significant area of unmet medical need. This is precisely why dedicated research funding organizations like The Ansley Foundation play such an important role — filling funding gaps for research into new therapies and treatment approaches that conventional funding sources may not yet prioritize.
Mission and Programs
The Ansley Foundation operates with a clearly focused mission: to provide financial support for Neuroblastoma research and to assist families and caregivers dealing with the emotional, physical, and financial burdens of childhood cancer.
The primary institutional recipient of foundation funds is the AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the most respected pediatric oncology centers in the United States. This partnership allows donations to flow directly into a high-impact clinical environment where research translates into real treatment advances for children fighting cancer.
Beyond research funding, the foundation actively works to assist patient families across the United States with a variety of needs related to their experience with pediatric cancer. Resiliency support for hospital staff — the often-overlooked medical professionals who carry their own emotional weight in caring for seriously ill children — is also a specific priority of the foundation’s work.
In 2023, the foundation provided $60,000 in grants, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to directing resources toward its stated mission rather than administrative overhead.
Key Facts About The Ansley Foundation
The Ansley Foundation, Inc. holds an EIN of 83-1733446, confirming its registered nonprofit status with the Internal Revenue Service. The organization is headquartered at 79 States Ave, Dallas, GA, 30132. It operates as an independent 501(c)(3) public charity, meaning donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers.
The foundation is entirely focused on pediatric cancer — there is no scope creep into unrelated charitable causes. Every program and fundraising effort the organization undertakes connects directly back to Neuroblastoma research and the support of families dealing with childhood cancer.
Fundraising Events and Community Engagement
The Ansley Foundation raises money through a variety of community-centered fundraising events that bring supporters together while building awareness of childhood cancer and the specific challenges of Neuroblastoma.
Past and recurring events have included the Dine for a Cure campaign, which engages local restaurants and their patrons in fundraising on behalf of the foundation. The foundation has also held car shows and other community gatherings that reflect the grassroots, community-connected nature of the organization.
Event sponsors play an important role in the foundation’s fundraising model, with the 2025 Dine for a Cure campaign drawing support from a range of local and regional businesses committed to the foundation’s cause.
Updates about events, sponsorship opportunities, and fundraising progress are shared regularly on the foundation’s official website at theansleyfoundation.org and through its active social media presence.
How You Can Help
There are several ways individuals and organizations can support The Ansley Foundation and its mission.
Direct financial donations are the most impactful form of support, since all donated funds go directly toward Neuroblastoma research and family support programs. Donations can be made through the foundation’s official website.
Participating in or sponsoring fundraising events is another meaningful way to contribute, both financially and in terms of raising awareness within the local community.
Spreading awareness about Neuroblastoma and the work of The Ansley Foundation through social media, personal networks, and community conversations helps grow the foundation’s reach and ultimately increases the resources available for research and family support.
Businesses interested in corporate sponsorship opportunities for foundation events can contact the organization directly through their official website to learn about available sponsorship tiers and benefits.
Why Organizations Like The Ansley Foundation Matter
Pediatric cancer research is chronically underfunded relative to adult cancers. Despite the devastating impact of childhood cancer on families and communities, the relatively small number of patients — compared to adult cancer patient populations — means that pharmaceutical companies and large research institutions often deprioritize pediatric-specific research in favor of larger market opportunities.
This gap makes nonprofit foundations like The Ansley Foundation critically important. By directing targeted funding specifically toward Neuroblastoma research and pediatric oncology programs at dedicated centers like the AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, organizations like this one fill funding gaps that the broader research ecosystem often leaves open.
The personal story behind The Ansley Foundation also matters in a way that institutional funders cannot replicate. The foundation carries Ansley Cochran’s story and the commitment of her family into every grant awarded and every family supported — a human dimension that connects donors directly to the impact of their contributions.
FAQs About The Ansley Foundation
Q1: What does The Ansley Foundation do?
The Ansley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to funding Neuroblastoma research and supporting families and caregivers affected by pediatric cancer. Its primary funding partner is the AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and it also assists patient families across the United States with various support needs.
Q2: Who was Ansley Cochran?
Ansley Cochran was a young woman from Georgia who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma as a toddler and fought the disease for 19 years. She passed away on May 22, 2018, at 21 years of age. The foundation was established in her memory to continue the fight against childhood cancer that defined so much of her remarkable life.
Q3: Is The Ansley Foundation a legitimate nonprofit?
Yes. The Ansley Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with EIN 83-1733446, headquartered in Dallas, Georgia. It is an independent public charity eligible to receive tax-deductible donations from US taxpayers.
Q4: How much of donations go to the actual cause?
All funds donated to The Ansley Foundation are dedicated to Neuroblastoma research and resiliency support for families and staff affected by pediatric cancer. In 2023, the foundation provided $60,000 in grants directed toward its mission programs.
Q5: What is Neuroblastoma?
Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer that develops from immature nerve cells, most commonly in or around the adrenal glands. It primarily affects children aged five and younger and is one of the most challenging pediatric cancers to treat, particularly in cases of relapsed or treatment-resistant disease.
Q6: Who receives funding from The Ansley Foundation?
The primary recipient of foundation funding is the AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The foundation has also assisted patient families throughout the United States with a variety of support needs related to their experience with childhood cancer.
Q7: How can I donate to The Ansley Foundation?
Donations can be made directly through the foundation’s official website at theansleyfoundation.org. The foundation also accepts support through participation in or sponsorship of its fundraising events, including the annual Dine for a Cure campaign.
Q8: How can I follow The Ansley Foundation’s work?
The foundation shares updates, event information, and stories from the families it supports through its official website at theansleyfoundation.org and through its social media presence, where followers can stay informed about upcoming events, research milestones, and ways to get involved.
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