Welcome to Zoe's Goal
Zoe’s Goal is dedicated to funding transformative research and clinical trials that bring new hope to families. Every initiative we support brings us closer to the breakthrough treatments and brighter futures these kids deserve.
Zoe’s Story
On October 13, 2022, at 15 years old, Zoe Suder was a young rising soccer star known for her incredible skill, knowledge and passion for the game. College recruiters were already taking notice and her future seemed as bright as the sun. Then life took a sudden and cruel turn when Zoe was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer.
Nothing prepares a family for those words. Yet with the fierce determination that had always driven her on the field, Zoe took on the battle of a lifetime. She was thrust into a world of hospitals, chemotherapy, limb salvage surgery and uncertainty. Doctors told her she would never play soccer again, never run again, and would likely walk with a limp.
Defying the odds, Zoe was given the green light to play soccer again in the fall of 2024. It was a moment that filled her heart with joy — and proved every doubt wrong. Just as she began to lace up her cleats again, cancer returned. In some ways the news was harder to hear than the first time — because now they knew exactly what lay ahead. The treatments. The hospital stays. The fight. Then again. Now facing her fourth diagnosis, Zoe is still fighting. And she is still refusing to give up.
Through every diagnosis, every treatment and every setback, Zoe’s family has been by her side — fighting alongside her every step of the way. That love and determination became the foundation for something bigger. Zoe’s Goal was co-founded by Zoe and her mother Leslie Suder — who competed alongside members of the iconic ’99ers — dedicated to raising awareness about pediatric cancer, advocating for research and funding, and supporting young warriors like Zoe.
The number four is not a coincidence. It is Zoe’s story. Kids with cancer receive just four percent of federal cancer research funding — despite childhood cancer being the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States. Kids are still being treated with decades-old therapies because the funding simply isn’t there.
Zoe refuses to accept that. That is why she created the More Than 4 Challenge. Because kids facing cancer deserve more than four percent. More research. More options. More hope. More time.
Our Mission:
At Zoe’s Goal, we are dedicated to transforming the lives of children battling cancer through unwavering support for groundbreaking research and innovative clinical trials. Our mission is to accelerate the discovery of life-saving treatments and ultimately find a cure.
We believe that every child deserves hope. By funding pioneering studies and empowering researchers, we aim to bring new therapies to the forefront of pediatric oncology.
Together, we strive to create a brighter future for young warriors facing cancer, ensuring they have access to the best care, less toxic treatments, and the promise of a healthier tomorrow.
Our mission is rooted in these guiding principles:
- Community Impact: We aim to create real change and make a lasting difference for families.
- Partnerships: We build strong relationships with leading researchers, experts and organizations to
advance our mission. - Public Awareness: We strive to foster understanding, inspire generosity, and increase community involvement in the
fight against pediatric cancer.
Motivation for Change: We are driven to prevent future losses, advocating every day for increased action and
solutions.
“Childhood cancer research is critically underfunded, with only 4% of federal funding dedicated to pediatric cancers.”
“Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death among children and adolescents ages 1-19 and the second most common cause of death for children ages 1 to 14.”
At Zoe’s Goal, we are here to change these statistics and give children a fighting chance.
The Reality: Childhood cancer isn’t profitable for big pharma, which means that the development of new therapies for kids often relies on a small group of dedicated researchers, and institutions. These innovative treatments have the potential to save countless lives, but progress is slow due to limited funding.
With more support, this work can advance more quickly. The obstacle is funding—together, we can overcome it.
How can you help?
We are always happy to hear from you. Please contact us for more information.
From the Founders,
Zoe, Zanny, Laci & Leslie
