Undersheriff Raised Funds for Childhood Cancer

A Rochester official has run 5K daily each September since 2020 to assist families with childhood cancer.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Philanthropy

Undersheriff Raised Funds for Childhood Cancer

Undersheriff Korey Brown has raised over $50,000 for the C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association through his annual 5K running initiative. The effort provides vital support for Rochester-area families navigating childhood cancer diagnoses.

Why it matters

The organization helps families cope with financial and logistical burdens, such as food and parking costs, that arise shortly after a child receives a cancer diagnosis.

Approximately 50 families in the Rochester area receive a childhood cancer diagnosis annually. Korey Brown has raised over $50,000 for the C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association since 2020.

The players

Korey Brown

He is an undersheriff who launched a daily 5K running initiative to generate charitable donations.

C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association

This organization provides support services to families of children who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Kate Matteson

She is a pediatric cancer survivor who underwent treatment for a rare form of leukemia.

The details

The C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association connects with local families to offer assistance like food and parking vouchers during treatment. One local patient, Kate Matteson, received treatment for a rare form of leukemia and is currently in remission.

Timeline

  1. Korey Brown began his 5K-a-days fundraiser in 2020.

  2. Kate Matteson received her diagnosis in February 2026.

  3. Korey Brown conducted his 5K fundraiser in September 2026.

  4. Kate Matteson is scheduled to meet her donor in June 2027.

Market Landscape

This initiative follows the pattern of localized, individual-led fundraising efforts that provide targeted relief within specific community health networks. It demonstrates how community-driven capital campaigns serve as a vital supplement to institutional healthcare support.

Local families benefit from direct logistical assistance, including parking and food vouchers provided by the association during hospital stays. These funds help reduce the immediate financial strain on households undergoing long-term medical treatments.

The takeaway

Grassroots fundraising can bridge significant logistical gaps for families facing high-cost, rare medical diagnoses. Community members can contribute to these efforts by participating in local charity events or donating directly to support organizations.

What happens next

Kate Matteson is scheduled to meet her bone marrow donor in June 2027.

Further reading

Learn more about local efforts by visiting the Rochester Philanthropy section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WHEC.