It’s so important that we focus on finding cancer treatments, and, at the same time, holistically improve the lives of those impacted by cancer. That’s why we founded the C³ Prize, a movement sparked by Astellas and sustained by the cancer community.

Nanny Angel Network, this year’s C³ Prize Grand Prize winner – selected by an expert panel of judges during a live pitch event on October 25, 2019 – is an organization devoted to easing the burden of cancer on families by providing no-cost, specialized childcare.

Inspired by the Founder’s Personal Experience

Audrey Guth, a cancer survivor and mother of four, was inspired to create Nanny Angel Network in 2009 after she found a gap in healthcare and social services for mothers with cancer and their children. The Nanny Angel Network aims to reduce the unequal burden of cancer care and focuses on tools and resources that reach under-served populations.

"Moms, particularly in underserved populations, are often forced to choose between caring for their children and going for cancer treatment, and kids in turn may feel sad, scared and anxious," Guth said.

Nanny Angel Network provides specialized training for “Nanny Angels,” who are volunteers that care for children whose mothers have cancer, providing stability, normalcy, and support during a challenging time. The Nanny Angel helps to give children the resources to cope with their mother's cancer and provides peace of mind for mothers, who know their children are being cared for by a vetted, highly trained, reliable volunteer Nanny Angel for the duration of their illness, recovery and in some instances, for one year following her death.

“We are the only program of our kind giving kids the coping tools, knowledge, and a place to ask those difficult questions,” said Leah Werry, Kingston Champion of Nanny Angel Network, who pitched on Guth's behalf at the C³ Prize live pitch event. “We’re also giving those kids attention and care, so that a mom can go out to her treatment with her mind just a little less burdened.”

What’s Next for Nanny Angel Network

Nanny Angel Network intends to use the grant from the C³ Prize to expand the reach and impact of the organization, as they seek to ease the burden of living with cancer for families.

Along with the funding, all winners will have the opportunity to attend TEDMED 2020 as TEDMED Scholars, joining a unique, multidisciplinary community of leading thinkers and doers from across the landscape of health, medicine, and scientific innovation. The winners also will receive a yearlong complimentary membership to MATTER, a global healthcare startup incubator, community nexus and corporate innovation accelerator.

Stay Connected

To learn more about our 2019 winners, visit the C³ Prize website. Also, follow #C3Prize and Astellas Oncology on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to see the latest updates.