Enquirer Names Jill Brinck Woman of the Year
The Cincinnati executive is recognized for her leadership and fundraising success at CancerFree Kids.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Cancer
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The Enquirer has named Jill Brinck, executive director of the Cincinnati-based nonprofit CancerFree Kids, as one of its 2026 Women of the Year honorees. Brinck leads the organization in funding early-stage pediatric cancer research.
Why it matters
Pediatric cancer research remains significantly underfunded, often struggling to attract capital due to a lack of profitability in drug development. Brinck provides the crucial seed funding necessary to generate proof-of-concept data for federal grants.
CancerFree Kids aims to reach $5 million in annual pediatric research investments by 2030. This expansion follows Brinck's track record of securing $1 million increases in annual campaigns during her time in Tampa.
The players
Jill Brinck
She is the executive director of the nonprofit CancerFree Kids who was named a 2026 Woman of the Year by The Enquirer.
CancerFree Kids
This Cincinnati-based nonprofit provides essential seed funding to pediatric cancer research projects.
The Enquirer
This regional news organization publishes the annual Woman of the Year awards in Cincinnati.
The details
Brinck joined the nonprofit in 2019 and has since managed both fundraising efforts and the organization's expansion into the Columbus market. Her previous professional experience includes a decade at United Way Suncoast, where she served as the director of community campaign and strategy development.
Timeline
2015: Brinck helped secure a $1 million campaign funding increase.
2016: Brinck helped secure another $1 million campaign funding increase.
2019: Brinck began her tenure as executive director of CancerFree Kids.
2026: The Enquirer selected Brinck as a Woman of the Year honoree.
2030: CancerFree Kids targets $5 million in annual research investments.
Health Landscape
This recognition highlights the critical role of philanthropic leadership in addressing the historical underfunding of pediatric cancer research. By generating necessary proof-of-concept data, these efforts bridge the gap between academic innovation and larger federal grant opportunities.
Increased funding for early-stage pediatric research may accelerate the availability of new treatment options for local families. This nonprofit model focuses on ensuring that promising scientific leads move forward toward clinical testing rather than stalling.
The takeaway
Supporting nonprofits like CancerFree Kids provides a lifeline for research that would otherwise remain dormant due to lack of traditional pharmaceutical interest. Residents can track the organization's growth as it works toward its $5 million annual investment goal by 2030.
Further reading
For more on local research efforts, see Cancer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cincinnati.
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Should non-profits, rather than the government, take the lead in funding underfunded medical research?
