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Amazon's new cause: kids with cancer

caption: Children, including some undergoing treatment for cancer, gathered for Amazon.com's announcement of donations for cancer research.
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Children, including some undergoing treatment for cancer, gathered for Amazon.com's announcement of donations for cancer research.
KUOW Photo Carolyn Adolph

Most funding for cancer research is targeted at helping adults. But children with cancer have different needs. Amazon contributed $250,000 to a national organization that focuses on this cause.

Amazon also gave the Seattle Children's a check for $10,000. The hospital said it is raising $100 million for children's cancer research and has achieved more than 80 percent of its goal.

Amazon also invited children with cancer to see a cargo plane up close. The company provided them with boxes full of gifts, including Amazon Fire tablets. Many of the children were selected for the event, Amazon said, because of their interest in science and technology.

Sarah Rhoads, Director of Amazon Air, said an employee brought this cause to the attention of company leadership: "This is just another example of how we have a very broad approach to philanthropy and giving back. This is just a great cause and I'm really happy we can support this."

The announcement came as Amazon became the second company in the world to be valued at trillion dollars. 

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