Strides Was Founded
A family’s experience with childhood cancer became a mission for change.
Strides for Sarcoma advances innovative pediatric sarcoma research while surrounding children and families with meaningful support, encouragement, and hope.
Maia was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at seven years old. Her courageous battle revealed both the incredible resilience of children facing cancer and the urgent need for better treatments and more research. Although she gained her angel wings at just nine years old, her legacy continues to inspire every care package we deliver and every research grant we fund.
She should have celebrated ten, eleven, twenty-one, and countless more. Strides for Sarcoma exists because nine birthdays were not enough.
“Nine birthdays were not enough.”
Created in honor of Maia James, the Maia James Sarcoma Innovation Grant funds bold, innovative research with the potential to transform outcomes for children and young adults with sarcoma. In 2026, Strides for Sarcoma proudly awarded its inaugural grant to Dr. Pengda Liu and his team at the University of North Carolina to advance the development of novel antibody-drug conjugates for relapsed Ewing sarcoma, bringing new hope to children facing one of the most challenging forms of pediatric cancer.
The next grant cycle is planned for January 2027 as we continue investing in ideas that can move better treatments closer to patients.
Our programs create moments of comfort, joy, celebration, and connection throughout an incredibly difficult journey.
What began as a promise has grown into research funding, national family support, and a community committed to changing the future of pediatric sarcoma.
A family’s experience with childhood cancer became a mission for change.
Strides began directly supporting innovative sarcoma research.
Care packages and Stockings for Sarcoma reached more warriors and families.
Louder Than Cancer became our most impactful event to date.
An expanded research grant will continue moving promising science forward.
Every ticket, sponsorship, donation, volunteer hour, and silent-auction bid moved us closer to better treatments and greater support for families.
There is a place for everyone in this mission—whether you give, fundraise, volunteer, partner, or simply share our story.
Help us advance pediatric sarcoma research and remind every warrior and family that an entire community stands beside them.