The Cancer Research Foundation was founded in 1998 to provide an independent source of funding for research in several types of cancer that are considered orphan diseases (i.e. where this is not much research money available for Kidney Cancer, Breast Cancer, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma and Myelodysplasia). Subsequently the Cancer Research Foundation has added specific projects in breast cancer.

The Cancer Research Foundation is supported by patients with these diseases and their families.

The executive committee from within the Our Lady of Mercy Cancer Center Family includes, Dr. Wiernik, Dr. Dutcher, Maureen Larkin-RN, Lisa Partenio, Leah Bentley. Recently Mary Meyer has been added to the executive committee to assist in directing this campaign.