Casey DeSantis stood beside her husband at Wolfson Children's Hospital.
She knows what it's like to hear the words every parent dreads.
And Ron DeSantis just made one announcement that left Joe Biden looking small.
Four children's hospitals get the resources to fight back
Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida awarded $30 million in grant funding to four specialty children's hospitals to develop and improve access to clinical trials, advance treatment protocols, and discover cures for childhood cancer.¹
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, and Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville were each awarded $7.5 million through the new Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator.²
https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1985443506480116094?s=20
The funding comes at a time when Florida accounts for six percent of all new pediatric cancer cases in the nation despite pediatric cancer representing just one percent of cases nationally.³
DeSantis didn't mince words about what this means for Florida families dealing with childhood cancer diagnoses.
"By investing in statewide infrastructure for pediatric cancer initiatives, we aim to eliminate the need for Florida families to travel out of state for potentially life-saving experimental therapies and specialized care," DeSantis stated.⁴
The Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator was created in 2025 and will focus on pediatric cancer in its first five-year funding cycle.
This isn't throwing money at a problem and hoping something sticks.
Each hospital submitted proposals outlining specific innovative approaches to expand clinical trials, recruit top pediatric oncology talent, strengthen infrastructure, and advance research.
Florida invests over $1 billion while Biden's agencies waste taxpayer dollars
Since DeSantis became Governor in 2019, Florida has invested more than $1 billion in cancer research and treatment.⁵
That's a 114% increase compared to funding before he took office.
This fiscal year alone, Florida secured nearly $218 million for cancer initiatives.⁶
Compare that to the Biden administration's record of funding drag queen shows, studying cocaine use in zebrafish, and giving millions to foreign countries while American families struggle.
First Lady Casey DeSantis, who survived breast cancer diagnosed in 2021, has been the driving force behind Florida's cancer initiatives.⁷
"Research Incubator investments to advance research, prevention, and treatment for pediatric cancer represents a meaningful step forward in our mission to improve outcomes, strengthen families, and ensure that every child has access to the most advanced care possible right here in Florida," Casey DeSantis said.⁸
https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1985361923555352628?s=20
She underwent six rounds of chemotherapy before being declared cancer-free in March 2022.
The First Lady knows firsthand the fear that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
And she channeled that experience into action rather than sympathy photo ops.
DeSantis put it simply: Florida is building something that matters while Washington wastes money on woke nonsense.
The four hospitals receiving funding will be eligible for multi-year grants to expand clinical trials, improve treatment protocols, and accelerate cures.
Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, Florida's Surgeon General, emphasized what this funding actually means beyond the numbers.
"Through the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, we're not only investing in science—we're investing in hope for children and families across the state," Ladapo stated.⁹
The initiative follows a comprehensive model designed to accelerate research, share best practices, and turn data into actionable results.
Florida created the Cancer Connect Collaborative in 2023 as a first-of-its-kind national model.
It's built on five pillars: Data, Best Practices, Innovation, Honesty, and Funding.
https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1985413296699425162?s=20
DeSantis explained that the hospitals submitted "innovative proposals" for "comprehensive statewide cancer research and care initiatives that have a chance to bear fruit."¹⁰
Look at the contrast.
DeSantis is directing resources toward saving children's lives and keeping families together in Florida instead of forcing them to travel out of state for experimental therapies.
Biden's agencies are funding studies about microaggressions and DEI consultants.
Florida is making real investments in breakthrough cancer research while the federal government throws billions at foreign countries and woke pet projects.
The $30 million Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator represents exactly the kind of focused, results-driven approach that actually helps people.
No wonder Florida keeps growing while blue states hemorrhage residents.
¹ Governor Ron DeSantis, "Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis Announce Cancer Incubator Awards," Executive Office of the Governor, November 3, 2025.
² – Ibid.
⁶ Governor Ron DeSantis, "Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis Highlight Fully-Funded Cancer Research and Treatment Funding," Executive Office of the Governor, July 2025.
⁷ Casey DeSantis, "Casey DeSantis opens up about her battle with breast cancer," NBC News, August 11, 2023.
⁸ Governor Ron DeSantis, "Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis Announce Cancer Incubator Awards," Executive Office of the Governor, November 3, 2025.
⁹ Ibid.
¹⁰ "Gov. DeSantis announces $30M in funding for pediatric cancer research in Florida," News4Jax, November 3, 2025.
