How much funds does CCF need annually?
Ans: We require an average of 3.5 million dollars per year.

Who decides how funds are used within CCF?
Ans: We have a Management Committee that decides on fund allocation for various programmes, projects and activities at the beginning of each calendar year.

Does CCF get government funding?
Ans: No, we raise our own funds. However, the governing body for Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs), National Council of Social Services (NCSS) does occasionally refer potential sponsors to us.

We have been supported by the Corporate Community, Civic Organisations, Schools and generous individuals who help raise funds for CCF. We are registered as a member of the National Council Social Service and is also an Institution of Public Character (IPC). The IPC status enables is to provide tax deductible receipts for direct donations.

How are these funds raised?
Ans: About 60 - 70% of our annual fund-raising target is from corporate and non-corporate sponsors.

The remaining is through our own fund-raising activities.

What percentage of the direct charitable expenses are expended to our beneficiaries?
Ans: About 90% of the funds are expended directly to our beneficiaries in the form of Financial Assistance, Casework and Counselling, Therapeutic Play, Childhood Cancer Transplant Programme, Parent Support Programmes, Educational talks and workshops, Social and Recreational Programme, training and research amongst others.

Why does CCF need to keep reserves?
Ans: Reserves enable CCF to continue serving the families at the current level of intensity, uninterrupted. We also ensure that our reserves are kept below three years' of operating expenses so that we can help as many families as possible.

For more information on our financial statement,you may refer to our annual reports here.
Community Partnerships

What is CCF's relationship with other volunteer organisations?
Ans: As an independent Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO), the Children's Cancer Foundation has no affiliation to other VWOs, local or otherwise. However, we do frequently work closely with the following organisations:

Assisi Children's Centre
CCF works very closely with the Assisi Children's Centre, and refers our beneficiaries to them should they need day care after treatment.

Club Rainbow Singapore
Between CCF and Club Rainbow, there is a close and long-standing relationship. We co-host an annual camp for our children - Camp Sunshine, and we are co-beneficiaries of a cycling event held in 2004.

VIVA Foundation
CCF supported the St Jude Asia Forum, held at Fullerton Hotel, Singapore from 9-11 March 2007, organised by VIVA Foundation, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, and St Jude's Children Hospital. The support represents CCF's commitment to collaborating with like-minded organisations sich as VIVA Foundation in impacting the lives of children with cancer in Singapore.

National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS)
There is a close and supportive relationship between us. We support some of NCCS's initiatives for childhood cancer related events and activities. Additionally, CCF is represented on the social work oncology network - which is an initiative of the medical social service of NCCS. Besides that, NCCS works more with adults with cancer, while we focus on serving children with cancer and their families.

National Council of Social Services (NCSS)
We are a member of NCSS, but do not receive funding from them. However, NCSS does occasionally refer potential sponsors to us.

Singapore Children's Society
Both organisations help children in different areas. They are an additional community resource in the event CCF's beneficiaries require some services we do not offer, like marital counseling and school social work service.

Singapore Cancer Society (SCS)
CCF enjoys a supportive relationship with SCS, and we have a good understanding of each other's target audience, as SCS services adults with cancer, while CCF helps children with cancer and their families.
Database management

How does CCF manage its donors database?
Ans: Strict confidentiality is adhered to as CCF does not condone third party database selling. To protect donor's privacy, only permitted staff have access to the database.
Vision

What is CCF's long-term plan?
Ans: In line with our mission to improve the quality of life of children with cancer and their families, CCF has outlined a three-pronged approach - three strategic areas which will ensure CCF is a total service provider for children with cancer.

In Educating, we seek to promote public awareness of childhood cancer so that our children can better integrate into society after treatment.

In Advocating, CCF seeks to champion pertinent issues on behalf of our clients, as well as promote our services to relevant hospitals so that all children suffering from cancer regardless of which hospital they are treated in have the opportunity to utilise CCF's comprehensive services.

In Partnering, CCF pursues a structured and formal partnership with three entities. Overseas institutions and organisations, local medical professionals and local institutions and organisations in order to improve the social, emotional and medical well-being of our clients.
Survival rates

What are survival rates for children suffering from cancer?
Ans: The survival rate for children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) - the most common form of cancer in Singapore - is very good, comparable with developed countries like the United States. In Singapore, survival rates for ALL patients are typically between 70% to 90%.

Which type of childhood cancer in Singapore has the lowest cure rate?
Ans: Brain tumour and advanced stage neuroblastoma have the lowest overall survival.

What is the number of children diagnosed with the rare forms of childhood cancer (like liver, kidney, or eye)?
Ans: The number of patients diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, Wilm's Tumour and Retinoblastoma are 34, 49, 62 respectively.

What is the largest age group of the children diagnosed with cancer each year?
Ans: 50% of children diagnosed with cancers are below 5 yrs of age.

Source for (1), (2) and (3): Childhood Cancer Registry, KK Women's & Children's Hospital
as at 18 April 2008 Volunteers

Why does CCF need Volunteers?
Ans: We need volunteers at our annual fund-raising activities or some other major events such as Camp, Annual Overseas Trip etc. On the average and for each year, CCF has about 100 regular volunteers each with varying degrees of involvement.
Catered with the family in mind

How many families benefit from CCF?
Ans: Since 1996, CCF has served about 1,400 families who have benefited from our programmes and activities in one way or another.

What does CCF do for the family?
Ans: Our services are primarily focused at supporting the family as a whole. These services are generally provided through our social workers based at our two FSCs (Family Support Centres) in KKH (KK Women's & Children's Hospital) and NUH (National University Hospital).

We also support families financially for daily and medical needs related to their children suffering from cancer. Professionally trained social workers/counselor provide the counselling, therapeutic play and support programmes, bereavement service etc.

CCF also organises social and recreational activities that enhance interaction within a family or amongst families.
Staffing

How many full-time staff does CCF have?
Ans: Currently, we have 30 full-time staff positions that includes 2 group centre managers, 11 social workers, 2 counsellors, 1 BMT coordinator, 2 programme coordinators, 2 administrative personnel, 2 programme personnel, 1 volunteer management officer, 6 community partnerships personnel and an Executive Director.

Why does CCF need full time staff?
Ans: The specialised and professional nature of the services we provide are best handled by professionally trained full time staff. Services like counseling and therapeutic require special skills and knowledge.

How does CCF ensure expertise in support functions?
Ans: As a firm believer of staff capabilities, staff are strongly encouraged to source out courses pertaining to their portfolio for skills upgrading.

Additionally, frequent in-house training is another focal point in ensuring our staff are well-equipped for their roles.