Our Mission

Dr. Audrey E. Evans M.D Inaugural Chief of Oncology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Since 1974, the Canuso Foundation has raised over $2 million for cancer research at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and has provided assistance and support to countless families and individuals affected by cancer.

Our mission is to alleviate the many burdens that cancer thrusts upon families – by helping them with day-to-day necessities or long-term goals and by restoring hope for the future.

In the past, in addition to funding research, the Foundation has built Ronald McDonald Houses, provided scholarships to college students affected by cancer, and helped children and families before, during and after cancer treatment.

Babe Canuso was the catalyst for the world's first Ronald McDonald House. Reconstructed, decorated, furnished and stocked by the Canuso Foundation in 1974, the Philadelphia home became a symbol of hope and a safe haven for families with hospitalized children. Since then, the Foundation has been involved with the renovation or building of three additional Ronald McDonald houses in the Philadelphia region.

Since 1991, the Foundation has awarded 61 partial scholarships for Villanova University students who have experienced hardship caused by a diagnosis of cancer. The Foundation continues to grow its annuity fund at the University through targeted fundraisers and donations.

In 2009, the Foundation formed a committee known as "Babe's Kids", a nucleus of eleven cousins, that targets kids devastated by severe illness and or disabilities. They will have their own fundraisers, such as bowl-a-thons and other fun events. As a community outreach, their mission will be diversified and support children who are affected by some form of disabilities.