MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A national leader in childhood cancer research is marking a golden anniversary. The MACC Fund has given hope to children and families for five decades and now, the nonprofit that started on a basketball court is counting on donors to help continue its drive toward a cure. 

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"It's a testament to the community. We would not be where we are today without the generosity from folks in Wisconsin -- southeast Wisconsin -- but really the state at large and a little bit spread through the Midwest too," said Michael Bielawski, the MACC Fund's director of development. 

It all began on Jon McGolocklin's retirement night with the Milwaukee Bucks. 

"One of the coolest things I've experienced in my 10 years here at the MACC Fund is listening to Jon McGlocklin, Jonny Mac, talk about it. I can assure you he is more proud of MACC Fund things than any Bucks' accomplishment he has to his record," said Bielawski. 

Jon McGlocklin MACC Fund

Providing smiles encouragement to those who need it most. 

"The kids, the hope, the families, the amount of money that the MACC Fund has contributed over $94 million I believe it is at this point to help research, to help these kids, to help these families," said Becky Pinter, President and CEO of the MACC Fund. 

Yet after a half century, they still need your help financially. 

MACC Fund

"A lot more research needs to be done. We need money for research. We've come a long way in 50 years. When the MACC Fund started back in 1976, cure rates were 20%; some upwards of 80%. There are some cure rates that are 93-94% at this point," said Pinter. 

"With only a little under 8% of cancer funding from the federal budget that, you know, gets devoted to PEDs that's woefully underfunded," Bielawski said.  

Cancer cure rates have jumped from 20% to above 80% in most cases, but they hope for the day of 100%. 

"I would like to see our doors close in the next 50 years because we've found a cure. And I truly believe that's possible. I think with kind of an advent of AI and all this different stuff like things are just going to happen faster where more is going to be discovered, treatments are going to get better, safer, faster. And it would be great to have to find a new job in the not-so-distant future," said Bielawski.

You can contribute to the MACC Fund by bidding in the CBS 58 Bids for Kids MACC Auction. Benefits go to help children battling cancer and related blood disorders. The CBS 58 Bids of Kids MACC Auction runs until Friday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. CLICK HERE for more.