The Catie Hoch Foundation was established in memory of Catie Hoch, a Clifton Park girl who died from neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of pediatric cancer. This Foundation is dedicated to helping kids take a break from cancer. Until Catie's death in May of 2000, she was very involved in establishing the purposes of the Foundation - making sure that her favorite places were included on the list of things that kids in treatment should do.

Catie was treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Throughout her treatment, which consisted of several surgeries, high-dose chemotherapy, radiation and numerous clinical trials, Catie continued to enjoy the sights and sounds of New York City. Because of the generosity of friends and family, Catie was able to go to some of her favorite places - the Museum of Natural History, Benihanas Japanese Steak House, the Little Shop of Plaster, FAO Schwarz and Yankee Stadium. Catie knew that if she felt well enough, she could do something fun. The purpose of the Catie Hoch Foundation is two-fold.

1. The Foundation meets the needs of families of children who are in treatment for cancer. From gas and food cards and paying for housing to emergency financial assistance, movie passes and Kids Cash(money to take a day off from the hospital and have some fun), the Foundation strives to alleviate some of the burdens facing these kids and their families. The Foundation has established these programs at MSKCC in New York City, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and Albany Medical Center.

2. The Foundation supports the need for more research. By endowing a translational research position at MSKCC, the Foundation is implementing a vital position in the fight against pediatric cancer. With an ultimate cost of $1.5 million, the Foundation is dedicated to accomplishing this goal. Phase one of the endowment is the $250,000 donation made on March 30, 2007 to Dr. Nai-Kong Cheung of MSKCC.