The Isabella Santos Foundation

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The Isabella Santos Foundation For almost five years, Isabella defied the odds. In 2007, Isabella was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma.

ISF is a 501(c)3 dedicated to providing transformational outcomes for rare cancer heroes worldwide through the TORCH Initiative. đź’ś

Donate to support children battling rare cancer. Neuroblastoma is a rare and deadly cancer that affects approximately 750 children a year. The survival rate for children diagnosed with high risk Neuroblastoma is less than 40% and less than 5% once the child has relapsed. However, countless doctors called Isabella a miracle. Relapse after relapse, she kept fighting…and kept beating it. Unfortunately, in June 2012, her parents were told the cancer had returned and this time, it would be relentless. Isabella’s fight ended on June 28th, 2012. In 2009, the Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) was established through Isabella’s parents to raise awareness and research funds for Neuroblastoma, and received it’s 501(c)(3) status in 2010. At the time, Isabella’s parents were in hopes that ISF could help fund research projects potentially to save Isabella’s life. Although Isabella is no longer with us, we hope another child can be saved and will continue to raise money and awareness for the awful disease that stole her life. Over the last six years ISF has donated over $1,500,000 for Neuroblastoma research and other children’s cancer charities. ISF benefits hospitals/organizations that specialize in Neuroblastoma research such as Children’s Oncology Group, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in Manhattan, Helen Devos Children’s Hospital and The NMRTC, The Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia (CHOP), Van Andel Institute (VAI) in Michigan as well as various other national and local research hospitals such as Levine Children’s Hospital here in Charlotte. We also raise awareness and funds for charities that directly impact children with cancer such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte and support our local blood bank Community Blood Center of the Carolinas.

Happy 4th of July from ISF!!! We wish you a wonderful celebration with your friends and family. ✨🇺🇸💜
07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July from ISF!!! We wish you a wonderful celebration with your friends and family. ✨🇺🇸💜

June was a powerful reminder of what this community can do. 🙌Together, we honored Isabella’s legacy, supported children ...
07/01/2026

June was a powerful reminder of what this community can do. 🙌

Together, we honored Isabella’s legacy, supported children and families facing rare pediatric cancer and created meaningful impact by raising more than $78,000 through Isabella’s Passing Anniversary Campaign and inspiring 130 blood donations through our annual community blood drive.

Thank you for showing up, giving generously and helping us build a brighter future for kids battling cancer. We’re grateful for each and every one of you.

Here’s to carrying this momentum into the second half of 2026 and continuing to change lives together! 💜

Today marks 14 years since Isabella lost her battle with neuroblastoma. She would have been 21 years old. She never got ...
06/28/2026

Today marks 14 years since Isabella lost her battle with neuroblastoma. She would have been 21 years old.

She never got to graduate.
She never got to travel the world.
She never got to fall in love.
She never got the chance to become an artist.
She never got to see another Taylor Swift concert.
She never got to run another 5K.
She never got to discover who she would become.

There are too many moments cancer stole from Isabella, and from everyone who loved her.

But her story didn’t end there.

Because of Isabella’s legacy, children facing cancer today have access to groundbreaking research, innovative treatments and critical support services that simply did not exist before.

The stories we’ve highlighted this month are proof of that impact — of survivors pursuing their dreams, children finding joy during treatment and families discovering hope in the midst of unimaginable challenges.

Your donation gives children the gift of life — what could be more important than that?

On the anniversary of Isabella’s passing, we invite you to honor her legacy by helping create more moments like these for children still fighting. 💜

06/28/2026

Cancer didn't just take Isabella from the world. It changed the lives of everyone who loved her.

For Grant, that means growing up without his sister to share birthdays, graduations, milestones and just every day moments together.

But it also means carrying forward her legacy.

Today, because of Isabella, families facing rare pediatric cancer have access to support and hope during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Because cancer impacts more than a diagnosis. It impacts the people you love.

As we remember Isabella on the anniversary of her passing, we also celebrate the countless children and families whose lives continue to be changed because of her.

No one can put a value on the moments cancer takes away. But together, we can help more families create the moments that still lie ahead.

đź’ś Please consider making a gift in Isabella's honor today.

06/26/2026

The ISF 5K for Kids Cancer was one of Isabella's favorite traditions. It brought together family, friends and a community determined to fight for children facing cancer.

As a neuroblastoma cancer survivor, Brinn gets to run, play, grow up and dream about her future — all thanks to Isabella’s advocacy for other children in the fight.

Because while Isabella never got to cross another finish line, her story continues to bring thousands of people together.

Every race registration, every donation and every act of kindness helps fund life-changing research, survivorship programs and family support services for children who deserve the chance to keep running toward their dreams.

đź’ś Please consider donating in honor of Isabella and National Cancer Survivor Month, and join us on September 26 for the ISF 5K for Kids Cancer.

06/25/2026

For many survivors of childhood cancer, the long-term effects of treatment can impact the possibility of one day having children of their own.

As an ovarian cancer survivor, Hensley understands that reality firsthand.

In partnership with MUSC Children’s Health and Levine Children's Hospital, ISF’s TORCH Initiative is funding fertility preservation programs for children battling cancers.

Because of Isabella's legacy, more children and survivors are receiving the support they need not only to survive, but to look forward to the future with hope.

đź’ś Please consider donating in honor of Isabella and National Cancer Survivor Month, today.

06/24/2026

🎨 One of Isabella's greatest joys was creating. Art allowed her imagination to run free, even during some of the hardest days of her cancer journey.

Today, her legacy is helping children like Merritt find that same joy.

As a rhabdomyosarcoma survivor, Merritt and her family know firsthand how powerful creative outlets can be during treatment. Through ISF-supported arts programming, children facing cancer are given opportunities to express themselves, find moments of normalcy and simply be kids.

Because while cancer took away so many moments Isabella deserved to have, her legacy continues to create moments of healing, hope and happiness for children still fighting.

No one can put a value on moments like these. But your support helps make more of them possible.

đź’ś Please consider donating in honor of Isabella and National Cancer Survivor Month.

Today, we honor the dads, grandfathers, stepdads and father figures who never stop showing up. đź’śFrom working long hours ...
06/21/2026

Today, we honor the dads, grandfathers, stepdads and father figures who never stop showing up. đź’ś

From working long hours apart from your families, to spending hours in hospital rooms and treatment days, to bell-ringing celebrations and cherished family moments, fathers play an extraordinary role in every child’s cancer journey.

We celebrate the strength, sacrifice, resilience and unconditional love of the men who stand beside these children through it all.

To the heroes behind so many of our heroes, thank you. đź’ś

06/20/2026

Isabella Santos lost her battle with neuroblastoma on June 28, 2012.

She never got to grow up. Her mom never got to watch her reach life's milestones.

But Isabella's story didn't end there.

Because of her legacy, children facing cancer today have access to better care, more hope, and more chances to live their dreams.

Join us this month as we honor Isabella and celebrate every survivor who gets to keep writing their story.

Donate in honor of Isabella and National Cancer Survivor Month. đź’ś

Our annual blood drive in honor of Isabella’s legacy starts in just TWO days, and with only 60 minutes of your time, you...
06/19/2026

Our annual blood drive in honor of Isabella’s legacy starts in just TWO days, and with only 60 minutes of your time, you could help save up to three lives. 💜

🗓️ June 21–28
📍 Charlotte & Ballantyne OneBlood of the Carolinas Centers
🍴 The first 100 donors will receive a gift card to Ballantyne’s Postino location

Every donation helps ensure local patients have access to the lifesaving blood products they need when they need them most.

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Together, let’s honor Isabella’s legacy by giving the gift of life. 🩸💜

Address

9935 Rea Road, Unit 275
Charlotte, NC
28277

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