Northwestern Mutual and Milwaukee Brewers Try To Strike Out Childhood Cancer Together

A cancer diagnosis of a family member is devastating news to anyone, but when the diagnosis is of a child there are a unique set of challenges. Since the 1960s, most children and teens with cancer have been treated at specialized centers designed for them, but this can mean the caretakers have to leave their homes in order to be close to their children. Between the doctors, tests and hospital visits, the effects of this lifestyle can have major impacts on a family. More information on childhood cancer can be found here.

Thankfully there are programs to help deal with these issues. Last year, Milwaukee's own Northwestern Mutual, in response to a lack of support for pediatric cancer research and services, launched its Childhood Cancer Program to raise awareness and money to fight childhood cancer. 

In continued support of this need, Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, has partnered with the Brewers Community Foundation to launch a joint fundraising program called Stolen Bases, Happy Faces.


Throughout the 2013 major league baseball season, every Milwaukee Brewers stolen base at Miller Park will result in a $1,000 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin to expand services for children and families fighting childhood cancer and other diseases.

The Stolen Bases, Happy Faces campaign marks the third year Northwestern Mutual and Brewers Community Foundation have collaborated. Brewers Community Foundation focuses its programming on youth and their families. This is a perfect fit for both organizations since their focus is on youth programs and both are well-respected hometown organizations.

Thanks to Rickie Week's stolen base on opening day, the effort is off to a "fast" start, let' hope for many more stolen bases. Get out to Brewers games and show your support, your cheers may help them steal the issues of childhood cancer away from the families it impacts.