Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announce thirty million dollars in pediatric cancer research funding for Florida hospitals
Jacksonville, Florida – In a major step to advance pediatric cancer research and treatment, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the state of Florida is awarding $30 million in grant funding to four specialty children’s hospitals. The funding is part of the newly created Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, an initiative aimed at improving access to clinical trials, advancing treatment protocols, and accelerating the discovery of cures for childhood cancer. Each of the selected hospitals—Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, and Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville—will receive $7.5 million to implement their innovative proposals.
“Since I became governor, Florida has invested more than $1 billion in cancer research and treatment–a 114% increase,” said Governor DeSantis. “We created the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator program within the Florida Department of Health this year to enhance cancer research throughout Florida. Four of Florida’s top children’s hospitals have received a total of $30 million in funding for their innovative proposals to help children and adolescents who are fighting cancer. By investing in statewide infrastructure for pediatric cancer initiatives, we aim to eliminate the need for Florida families to travel out of state for potentially life-saving experimental therapies and specialized care.”
The Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator was established in 2025 to strengthen Florida’s leadership in cancer research and treatment. The initiative’s first five-year funding cycle will focus specifically on pediatric cancer, which, while accounting for only one percent of cancer cases nationally, represents a significant population in Florida. The state accounts for six percent of all new pediatric cancer cases in the United States, affecting thousands of children and families annually.
“Research Incubator investments to advance research, prevention, and treatment for pediatric cancer represents a meaningful step forward in our mission to improve outcomes, strengthen families, and ensure that every child has access to the most advanced care possible right here in Florida,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “I’m deeply grateful to Governor DeSantis for his unwavering leadership and commitment to advancing cancer research in Florida.”
Florida’s State Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, praised the initiative, noting its impact on both scientific advancement and family support. “Thanks to the vision and leadership of First Lady Casey DeSantis, Florida continues to set the national standard for advancing adult and childhood cancer research and care,” said Dr. Ladapo. “Through the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, we’re not only investing in science–we’re investing in hope for children and families across the state.”
The Incubator is part of the larger Cancer Connect Collaborative, an innovative statewide model designed to accelerate research, share best practices, and turn clinical data into actionable strategies for patient care. The initiative is guided by five core pillars: Data, Best Practices, Innovation, Honesty, and Funding. It brings together public and private partners to transform the delivery of cancer care, providing hospitals and research institutions with the resources needed to advance clinical discoveries more efficiently.
“Thanks to the leadership of First Lady and Governor DeSantis, Florida continues to make cancer research and treatment a top priority,” said Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Shevaun Harris. “The Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator is a bold step forward, beginning with pediatric cancer research. We look forward to seeing the strides made among the awardees and the collaboration that will accelerate breakthroughs, improve access to therapies, and offer hope to families across our state.”
The funding will allow hospitals to expand access to clinical trials, develop cutting-edge treatment protocols, and create more robust support networks for patients and their families. By investing in infrastructure and research capabilities within the state, Florida aims to ensure that families no longer need to travel out of state for advanced experimental therapies or specialized pediatric cancer care.
This announcement comes amid Florida’s ongoing commitment to making cancer research a state priority. Since the creation of the Cancer Connect Collaborative, the state has prioritized transparency, collaboration, and innovation, bringing together hospitals, research centers, and public agencies to focus on measurable outcomes. Officials expect the funding and collaborative efforts to accelerate breakthroughs in pediatric cancer treatment, offering new hope to children and families across Florida.
For more information about Florida’s cancer research initiatives and the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, residents can visit FLCancerConnect.com.
The initiative marks a milestone in the state’s efforts to combat childhood cancer and reinforces Florida’s position as a national leader in cancer research and innovative patient care, offering both hope and tangible resources to children and families fighting the disease.
