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CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to ending childhood cancer by driving targeted and innovative research, has officially announced the appointment of John Polson to its Board of Directors. Polson, who serves as the Chairman and Managing Partner of the international labor and employment law firm Fisher Phillips, joins the board at a pivotal moment for the organization. As CureSearch continues to bridge the gap between academic research and clinical application, the addition of a seasoned legal strategist and executive leader is expected to bolster the organization’s capacity for high-impact advocacy, resource development, and strategic scaling.
With a professional career spanning more than three decades, Polson brings a unique blend of legal acumen and organizational leadership to the CureSearch board. At the helm of Fisher Phillips, he manages the strategic trajectory and daily operations of 41 offices worldwide, overseeing a workforce of hundreds of attorneys and legal professionals. His tenure has been defined by a period of significant growth and prestige for the firm, which is consistently ranked among the elite by major legal publications such as The Best Lawyers in America and The Legal 500. This experience in navigating complex regulatory environments and managing large-scale operations is viewed as a vital asset for CureSearch as it navigates the increasingly complex landscape of pediatric drug development and federal healthcare policy.
A History of Philanthropic Collaboration
The appointment of John Polson is the culmination of a long-standing and productive relationship between Fisher Phillips and CureSearch. Under Polson’s leadership, the law firm has integrated social responsibility into its corporate culture, primarily through its philanthropic arm, FP Cares. This initiative was designed to encourage firm-wide participation in charitable causes, with a particular emphasis on health and community welfare.
The partnership reached a significant milestone when FP Cares spearheaded a massive fundraising effort that generated $200,000 for CureSearch’s research programs. Beyond financial contributions, the firm engaged in the "Notes of Hope" campaign, a grassroots effort where employees across Fisher Phillips’ global offices wrote thousands of personalized letters to children currently undergoing intensive cancer treatments. This campaign served to humanize the struggle of pediatric patients and provided a tangible connection between the legal community and the families served by CureSearch.
In recognition of these sustained efforts and the tangible impact on the organization’s mission, CureSearch previously honored Fisher Phillips with the "Champion for Cures" award. This history of commitment suggests that Polson’s transition to the Board of Directors is a natural evolution of his personal and professional dedication to the cause.
The Critical Need for Pediatric Cancer Innovation
The context of Polson’s appointment is framed by the stark realities of pediatric oncology. While survival rates for some forms of childhood cancer have improved over the last half-century, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States. Each year, more than 15,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer, and the long-term side effects of current treatments—often designed for adults—can be devastating, leading to chronic health issues, secondary cancers, and reduced quality of life.
One of the primary hurdles in the field is the "innovation gap." Because pediatric cancers are considered rare diseases relative to adult cancers, the pharmaceutical industry often lacks the financial incentives required to invest heavily in the research and development of child-specific treatments. This is where organizations like CureSearch play a transformative role. By functioning as a bridge between laboratory breakthroughs and clinical trials, CureSearch ensures that promising therapies do not languish in the "valley of death"—the phase where research often stalls due to a lack of funding or strategic direction.
Data-Driven Success: The CureSearch Model
The effectiveness of CureSearch’s strategy is evidenced by its remarkable success rates in moving research from the laboratory to the patient. Currently, 60% of CureSearch-funded preclinical projects successfully advance to clinical trials. To put this figure in perspective, the national average for cancer research projects reaching the clinical trial phase is approximately 8%.
This high success rate is attributed to CureSearch’s rigorous vetting process and its focus on "translational research." Rather than funding broad, exploratory studies, the organization targets projects that have a clear pathway to becoming a viable treatment. They utilize a "Catapult" funding model, which provides not only financial resources but also project management and regulatory expertise to researchers. By bringing John Polson onto the board, CureSearch aims to further refine these processes, utilizing his experience in risk management and strategic oversight to enhance the efficiency of their research pipeline.
Official Responses and Strategic Vision
The leadership at CureSearch has expressed high expectations for the impact Polson will have on the organization’s future. Kay Koehler, President and CEO of CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, emphasized that Polson’s background in building strong professional relationships and his commitment to social impact are exactly what the organization needs to reach its next phase of growth.
"We are thrilled to welcome John Polson to the CureSearch Board of Directors," said Koehler. "John’s proven leadership and his ability to build strong relationships will be invaluable as we continue our work to bring life-saving treatments to children with cancer. His experience and vision will help us take our mission to the next level."
For his part, Polson has articulated a vision centered on hope and tangible progress. "I am honored to join CureSearch in their fight to end childhood cancer," Polson stated. "This is a cause that is very close to my heart, and I look forward to helping drive the organization’s critical work in advancing research and providing hope to children and families affected by cancer."
Analysis of Implications for the Non-Profit Sector
The appointment of a high-profile legal executive to a medical research board reflects a growing trend in the non-profit sector: the integration of "venture philanthropy." In this model, non-profits operate with the strategic discipline of a venture capital firm, focusing on return on investment—where the "return" is measured in lives saved and treatments developed rather than dollars earned.
Polson’s background as a Managing Partner of a global firm suggests he will bring a "global-first" perspective to the board. As pediatric cancer research is increasingly an international endeavor, with clinical trials often spanning multiple countries to find a sufficient patient population, having a board member who understands the complexities of international operations and cross-border collaboration is a significant advantage. Furthermore, his legal expertise will be beneficial in navigating the complex intellectual property (IP) issues that arise when non-profits fund research that eventually becomes a commercialized drug.
Future Outlook and Chronology of Growth
As CureSearch moves into the latter half of the decade, the organization is focused on expanding its "Acceleration Initiative," which aims to reduce the time it takes for a new drug to reach the market. The timeline for the organization’s recent milestones indicates an aggressive growth phase:
- 2021-2022: CureSearch intensifies its focus on the "Catapult" awards, specifically targeting high-risk, high-reward pediatric brain tumor research.
- 2023: Fisher Phillips, under Polson, raises $200,000 and receives the "Champion for Cures" award, solidifying the corporate-non-profit bond.
- Early 2024: CureSearch reports its 60% success rate in preclinical-to-clinical transitions, drawing national attention to its funding model.
- Mid-2024: The appointment of John Polson to the Board of Directors to provide the legal and strategic framework necessary for international expansion and increased advocacy.
Looking ahead, Polson will join a board comprised of diverse experts, including pediatric oncologists, biotech executives, and patient advocates. This multidisciplinary approach is designed to ensure that the organization remains patient-centric while maintaining the professional rigor required to interact with the pharmaceutical industry and federal regulatory bodies like the FDA.
Conclusion
The addition of John Polson to the CureSearch Board of Directors is more than a standard leadership update; it is a strategic move designed to fortify the organization’s mission with the tools of modern corporate leadership. By leveraging Polson’s expertise in global operations and his demonstrated passion for the cause, CureSearch is positioning itself to continue outperforming national averages in research development. For the thousands of families navigating the trauma of a childhood cancer diagnosis, this appointment represents a continued commitment to finding faster, safer, and more effective cures through a combination of scientific excellence and strategic business leadership.