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MILWAUKEE, July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Less than four percent of the federal government's total funding for cancer research is dedicated to childhood cancer, inspiring Northwestern Mutual to announce today that it will provide $150,000 to support childhood cancer researchers nationwide. The company will provide $60,000 to fund 12 grants in support of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's (ALSF) Pediatric Oncology Student Training (POST) Program. The grants are being awarded through the Northwestern Mutual Foundation's Childhood Cancer Program.  Northwestern Mutual is also funding $90,000 for medical researchers to purchase essential lab and research equipment at 16 hospitals and universities nationwide.

ALSF's POST Program is designed for undergraduate, graduate and medical students who are interested in pursuing careers in pediatric oncology research. It aims to expose students to the field of pediatric oncology research, help develop practical research skills, provide hands-on research experience and encourage continued research in the field post-graduation. POST students provide researchers critical assistance to help advance their research.

"More than 10,000 kids in the U.S. were diagnosed with cancer last year and the causes of most childhood cancers are unknown, so it's critical we do our part to find a cure," said Eric Christophersen, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "Northwestern Mutual is proud to have such an impactful and passionate partner in Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, and we're looking forward to continuing our shared mission of eradicating childhood cancer."

The 12 POST Program grant recipients include:

• Brandon Diessner, University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
• Brandon Wummer, University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida)
• Connor Farnham, University of Colorado Denver (Aurora, Colorado)
• Emily Crawford, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, Massachusetts)
• Emily Haussler, Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, Missouri)
• Paula Jeon, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
• Shilpa Nataraj, University of California, San Diego (San Diego, California)
• Siddharth Gorantla, Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, Texas)
• Tu Dinh, University of California San Francisco (San Francisco, California)
• Tyler Galvelis, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
• Yannan (Jennifer) Wang, Augusta University (Augusta, Georgia)
• Yohanna Georgis, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, Massachusetts)

The organizations receiving lab and research equipment include:

Northwestern Mutual's Childhood Cancer Program gives all kids the chance to live life to the fullest by accelerating the search for pediatric cancer cures and providing family and survivor support. The Childhood Cancer Program raises awareness and funds through its nonprofit partners, including ALSF and other family support nonprofits across the country. Since launching its Childhood Cancer Program in 2012, Northwestern Mutual has contributed more than $15 million to the cause and has funded more than 165,000 hours of research.
*Indicates multiple equipment grants awarded to the organization.

About Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra "Alex" Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $140 million toward fulfilling Alex's dream of finding a cure, funding over 690 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more information on Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation 
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $300 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company's employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination.

About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for 160 years. Through a distinctive, whole-picture planning approach including both insurance and investments, we empower people to be financially confident so they can live life differently. We combine the expertise of our financial professionals with a personalized digital experience to help our clients navigate their financial lives every day. With $250.4 billion in assets, $28.2 billion in revenues, and more than $1.6 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.4 million people who rely on us for life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, brokerage and advisory services, trust services, and discretionary portfolio management solutions. The company holds more than $100 billion of client assets as a part of its wealth management company and investment services. Northwestern Mutual ranks 97 on the 2017 FORTUNE 500 and is recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2017.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a comprehensive approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, life insurance with long-term care benefits, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance).

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual