Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in children in the United States. Yet pediatric cancer is often left behind when it comes to funding research and developing new drugs. Not only does this give short shrift to children with cancer, but it also threatens to rob us of advances that could benefit cancer patients of all ages.
That’s what I and fellow members of the Coalition for Pediatric Medical Research told the staff of Vice President Joe Biden, who is leading the cancer “moonshot.” We recently met in Biden’s Washington office to make the case that childhood cancer must be represented as the government considers ways to propel cancer research.
Six decades ago, the first major breakthrough in the treatment of cancer came when Dr. Sidney Farber used an experimental drug to treat leukemia in children. Some went into remission — a medical first. Chemotherapy was born, revolutionizing the care of both children and adults with cancer.
Since then, overall cure rates for childhood cancers have risen to 80 percent. Some pediatric cancers post cure rates of 90 percent, while others remain difficult or nearly impossible to cure. At the same time, a majority of childhood cancer survivors experience harmful, lifelong complications of the treatments that saved them. Such late effects can be far more devastating to the survivor diagnosed at age 5 than the survivor diagnosed at age 65.
All posts by Raishad Peoples
Sean Parker Donates $250 Million to Launch Cancer Immunotherapy Institute
Silicon Valley billionaire Sean Parker will donate $250 million to launch a new institute aimed at developing more effective cancer treatments by fostering collaboration among leading researchers in the field.
“Any breakthrough made at one center is immediately available to another center without any kind of IP (intellectual property) entanglements or bureaucracy,” Parker, the co-founder of music-sharing website Napster and the first president of Facebook, told Reuters in an interview.
The new Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy will focus on the emerging field of cancer immunotherapy, which harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.
Visit Chick-Fil-A Gainesville in April and support Alex’s Army
Chick-Fil-A Gainesville is located here.
2nd Annual Driving for a Cure: Registration Open
Alex’s Army thanks 2016
Driving for a Cure Tournament sponsor
The Delmarva Cornerstone Group
at Morgan Stanley
1650 Tysons Blvd., Suite 1000
McLean, VA 22102
Direct: (703) 394-1999
Visit their Website at: The Delmarva Cornerstone Group at Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
Driving for a Cure Tournament sponsor
The Delmarva Cornerstone Group
at Morgan Stanley
1650 Tysons Blvd., Suite 1000
McLean, VA 22102
Direct: (703) 394-1999
Visit their Website at: The Delmarva Cornerstone Group at Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
All player spots are SOLD OUT, but you can still register to sponsor a hole.
Register for hole sponsorship.
Photos from last year.
Let your Facebook friends know you’re coming.
2nd Annual Battle of the Bands Photos
#jointhemovement
Join hundreds of childhood cancer groups and thousands of advocates as we share a very powerful video all at the same time. Hosted by CNN’s Lisa Ling, “The Truth 365: A National Movement” is an online film that will motivate the public to take a stand for kids with cancer.
VA High School Plans Prom to Benefit Cancer Research
A high school in Loudoun County, Virginia, plans to throw a prom with a message this year.
While the students at Freedom High School in South Riding still plan for a fun party, they are scaling back in exchange for giving back.
“We were just bouncing themes around and we had the idea of a charity ball, and it took off from there,” Junior Class President Bobby Doherty said.
The money saved and generated from ticket sales will go to pediatric cancer research.
Faith, Hope, Love 2016
While part of our mission is to help fund research for new treatments for childhood cancers and a large portion of our funding is allocated for this purpose, another big aspect of our mission is to provide Christian focused support for families impacted by this dreadful disease.
In 2016, we had our first ‘Faith, Hope, Love’ event for the childhood cancer community which featured Grammy Award Winning Christian singer/songwriter Laura Story for a night of encouragement and love. Laura shared her testimony and performed songs such as “Blessings” and “Perfect Peace”.
We had a separate children’s event with games, activities, and magic from our friend Turley the Magician! All guests were welcomed with a gift basket of goodies donated by local vendors such as Tranquility Day Spa, information from other local non-profits such as Healing Hearts Respite, and our very own Faith, Hope, Love coffee mug filled with Hershey kisses. Alex’s Army hosted this free event for the childhood cancer community and it truly was a night of Faith, Hope, and Love!
Thank you to everyone who helped make this night magical, special thanks to:
Laura Story, Inc.
Park Valley Church
Christy Jenkins Photography
Crumbles Bake Shop
Salsa Sweets
Tranquility Day Spa
Healing Hearts Respite
To our planning committee and volunteers
…and finally to all the families who were able to join us and help make it a night to remember!
2nd Annual Battle of the Bands
College basketball coaches to wear gold shoelaces in honor of Lacey Holsworth
College basketball coaches across the country will be switching up their shoelaces this week to honor one of Michigan State’s biggest fans.
Special gold shoelaces will be worn by coaches this week to honor Lacey Holsworth, the St. John’s native who formed a relationship with Adreian Payne and the Michigan State basketball team before passing away due to cancer in 2014.
The promotion is part of the Suits and Sneakers Week, in which coaches wear sneakers instead of dress shoes to benefit Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society. Funds raised will also benefit Princess Lacey’s Legacy, a nonprofit foundation founded in her honor.
Wisconsin, South Carolina, Akron, La Salle, Dayton and Appalachian State have all announced that they will wear the laces during games this week.
Gold laces are also available to the general public through Shoe Carnival.