Pediatric cancer is a heart-wrenching reality that affects thousands of families each year. And despite being the leading cause of death by disease among children, treatments explicitly designed for them are still in the minority.
Our children deserve more.
That’s why we firmly believe the key to changing this reality lies in research. Here’s why:
Advancing Treatment Options
Research can drive the development of new, more effective treatments by helping doctors more acutely understand pediatric cancer at both the molecular and genetic levels. This understanding can lead to the development of therapies that are more precise and less toxic. To date, CKc has awarded funding for 36 research grants, creating 787 treatment options for children in 32 states, DC, Canada, Scotland, and Switzerland.
Take, for instance, Dr. Theodore Johnson* at the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University, who is overseeing a trial that addresses DIPG, a rare and aggressive brain tumor in children that has little to no treatment options. Dr. Johnson’s work includes creating an innovative approach that allows pediatric patients with recurrent brain tumors or newly diagnosed DIPG to take their treatment orally. These breakthroughs are only possible because of continuous research efforts to understand pediatric cancer’s unique characteristics.
Improving Quality of Life
Through research, our medical community can develop more effective, less invasive treatments that save lives and enhance survivorship. Our hope is that children not only survive but thrive, free from the debilitating impacts of their treatment. By focusing on reducing long-term side effects and extending life expectancy, research ensures that those who conquer cancer can enjoy healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Fostering Collaboration
This work is not ours alone. There are countless organizations committed to the fight against pediatric cancer. Research fosters global collaboration and knowledge sharing among scientists, clinicians, and healthcare providers.
CKc, for example, partners with Trial Blazers for Kids, a foundation that raises money for innovative pediatric cancer research. Rather than managing its own scientific advisory board, Trial Blazers invests in the study reviewed by our board. This approach limits redundancy in the foundations, saves the volunteer researchers’ time on the SAB, and magnifies investment. These types of collaborative efforts ensure that advancements in research benefit children worldwide, regardless of where they live.
Our mission at CKc is to fund innovative research and educate for change. We’re committed to finding new and better ways to treat childhood cancer, and we’re confident that our approach to funding research is the key to increasing survivorship and quality of life for kids fighting cancer.
*Learn more about Dr. Johnson’s work:
