The Childhood Cancer Blog
The Childhood Cancer Blog
Above, Dr. Patrick Reynolds at The Childhood Cancer Repository in Lubbock, TX. Since its inception, the Childhood Cancer Repository has been powering childhood cancer research effort. As of February 2020, the Repository sent 2910 samples to 484 laboratories in 28 countries.
Above, Lilly Ibbotson with her family. “We hope that Lilly’s neuroblastoma tumor can be some small part of helping other children who are waiting for cures,” said Nicole Ibbotson, Lilly’s mom. Families like the Ibbotsons can help accelerate research through tissue sample donation.
Above, staff at The Childhood Cancer Repository process and create cell lines from donated tissue. The Repository currently has 568 cell lines and 105 xenografts. That work will give researchers deeper insight into the specific mutations and biomarkers across these tumors. Because childhood cancer remains such a rare disease, this breadth of data could reveal novel ways to approach treatment if common targets are identified across tumors.
When Lilly faced surgery after relapsing, her family made the decision to donate extra tumor tissue to research instead of throwing it away.
“We hope that Lilly’s neuroblastoma tumor can be some small part of helping other children who are waiting for cures,” said Nicole Ibbotson, Lilly’s mom.
Tissue donation is a critical but often overlooked piece of childhood cancer research. As childhood cancer researchers work to find the drugs that could be cures, they are facing a critical shortage of tissue samples to... Read More
Lakelynn, pictured above, has been battling a rare sarcoma for half her life. She is currently enrolled in a clinical trial funded through the ALSF Center of Excellence program.
Above, Emily and Edie Gilger, together with their doctor, Yael Mosse, MD from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia share their remarkable survival story with guests at the 2019 Lemon Ball.
Eighteen months after completing treatment for osteosarcoma, Taylor, pictured above, relapsed.
Children with cancer face difficult paths through diagnosis, surgeries, treatments, recovery and survivorship. An estimated 15,590 children and adolescents (ages 0-19) are diagnosed with one of the several different types of cancer every year in the United States.
Five-year survival rates for childhood cancer continue to increase overall, but for some types of cancer, survival rates remain terrifyingly low. Currently, 84% of children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. are alive at least five years after diagnosis. These survivors may suffer long-term health side effects as a result... Read More
Pictured above, a note from ALSF founder, Alex Scott, to her mother. “You never know when a simple gesture will become a treasure to those you leave behind," said her mom Liz Scott
Alex, with her cat Herbert. Herbert was one of Alex’s great loves.
In 2004, Alex painted a picture of hearts and stars. Each year, supporters donate to ALSF for a chance to rent this painting.
Named after Alex Scott, Alex Dixon, pictured above, celebrated her 1st birthday and supported ALSF. Her father Paul shared his love of ALSF on social media to raise funds and awareness for the Foundation.
I have a little love note that I cherish. It simply says, “I love you, Mom,” in that sweet irregular handwriting that is the trademark of young kids. My daughter Alex wrote it for me when she was around 6 years old.
I miss Alex every day. You never know when a simple gesture, like a love note, will become a treasure to those you leave behind.
This year marks 20 years since Alex’s first lemonade stand, and 16 years since Alex was last here to pour lemonade and write me love notes. But her legacy... Read More
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