The Childhood Cancer Blog

The Childhood Cancer Blog

Welcome to The Childhood Cancer Blog
from Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation!

Could this Research Cure Rare Leukemia? An interview with Dr. Eirini Papapetrou
RUNX1 researcher Eirini Papapetrou, MD, PhD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Eirini Papapetrou, MD, PhD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

by Trish Adkins

When Eirini Papapetrou, MD, PhD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai started her lab, she devoted her research to developing specialized iPSC models. 

This might not mean a lot to those of us who are not researchers. But these models—made from patient-derived cells—could be the key to understanding the drivers behind certain types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one of the most difficult and deadliest types of pediatric leukemia. 

The development of iPSC... Read More

Meet Five Women Leading the Way to Cures for Childhood Cancer. 
  • Dr. Michelle Monje, pictured here at her lab at Stanford University. In addition to DIPG research, Dr. Monje also studies spinal cord tumors, which can share genetic characteristics similar to high-grade gliomas like DIPG. Dr. Monje is also the co-chair for the High-Grade Glioma section at ALSF's Crazy 8 meeting this September in Philadelphia.
    Michelle Monje, pictured here at her lab at Stanford University. In addition to DIPG research, Dr. Monje also studies spinal cord tumors, which can share genetic characteristics similar to high-grade gliomas like DIPG. Dr. Monje is also the co-chair for the High-Grade Glioma section at ALSF's Crazy 8 meeting this September in Philadelphia.
  • Dr. Catherine Flores, pictured above, with Sawyer. Sawyer dreamed of being a scientist and Dr. Flores opened her lab up to him for the day. Sadly Sawyer passed away from a brain tumor. “As lab researchers, we generally don't come in contact with patients, but it was amazing to see who we are trying to help. Interacting with him during a fun time made me want to work even harder. It also made me realize that receiving grants and manuscripts (our metrics as academics) are great, but they are nothing compared
    Dr. Catherine Flores, pictured above, with Sawyer. Sawyer dreamed of being a scientist and Dr. Flores opened her lab up to him for the day. Sadly Sawyer passed away from a brain tumor. “As lab researchers, we generally don't come in contact with patients, but it was amazing to see who we are trying to help. Interacting with him during a fun time made me want to work even harder. It also made me realize that receiving grants and manuscripts (our metrics as academics) are great, but they are nothing compared to actually finding a cure,” said Dr. Flores
  • ALSF POST-Grantee Sabrina Wang is continuing her pediatric oncology education and career as a research technologist—focusing on gathering, cataloging and organizing data—with Dr. Rubens at Johns Hopkins.
    ALSF POST-Grantee Sabrina Wang is continuing her pediatric oncology education and career as a research technologist—focusing on gathering, cataloging and organizing data—with Dr. Rubens at Johns Hopkins.
  • Dr. Jean Mulcahy-Levy’s research focuses on how blocking a cellular process called autophagy could eliminate brains tumors that have a specific mutation. All cells—both normal and cancer cells—perform autophagy, which is basically a cell-recycling program.
    Dr. Jean Mulcahy-Levy’s research focuses on how blocking a cellular process called autophagy could eliminate brains tumors that have a specific mutation. All cells—both normal and cancer cells—perform autophagy, which is basically a cell-recycling program.
  • Dr. Jennifer Foster, a pediatric oncologist at Texas Children’s Cancer Center, pictured above with 13-year-old Eden Green, who is battling a rare one-of-a-kind tumor. Dr. Foster is leading a clinical trial that focuses on the treatment of relapsed solid tumors.
    Dr. Jennifer Foster, a pediatric oncologist at Texas Children’s Cancer Center, pictured above with 13-year-old Eden Green, who is battling a rare one-of-a-kind tumor. Dr. Foster is leading a clinical trial that focuses on the treatment of relapsed solid tumors.

by Trish Adkins

According to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics, less than 30-percent of the world’s scientific researchers are women.  As the world works to narrow the gender gap, women researchers are working on cures for childhood cancer—both in the lab and the clinic.

In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month in March, meet five women leading the way to cures for childhood cancer:

Dr. Catherine Flores 

Being a researcher is not a... Read More

Climbing to Cures in Houston
  • At the end of March, ALSF will host the second-annual Lemon Climb Houston, an inspirational stair climb where participants are challenged to walk, run or race up 75 flights of stairs to the top of the tallest building in Texas, the 600 Travis building and fundraise to help kids fight cancer. 
    At the end of March, ALSF will host the second annual Lemon Climb Houston, an inspirational stair climb where participants are challenged to walk, run or race up 75 flights of stairs to the top of the tallest building in Texas, the 600 Travis building and fundraise to help kids fight cancer. 
  • Sullivan, pictured above, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma when he was 10 years old. His parents are dedicated to finding cures. “With access to the right funds and having people support organizations like ALSF, 20 years from now, it will be a different ballgame.” Dan Butler, Sullivan’s dad.
    Sullivan, pictured above, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma when he was 10 years old. His parents are dedicated to finding cures. “With access to the right funds and having people support organizations like ALSF, 20 years from now, it will be a different ballgame.” - Dan Butler, Sullivan’s dad.
  • Clinical trials give kids battling cancer options and hope for cures. Eden, pictured above, was diagnosed with a rare tumor that had never been seen before. A trial led by ALSF-funded researcher Dr. Jennifer Foster at Baylor College of Medicine has given Eden more hope and more time.
    Clinical trials give kids battling cancer options and hope for cures. Eden, pictured above, was diagnosed with a rare tumor that had never been seen before. A trial led by ALSF-funded researcher Dr. Jennifer Foster at Baylor College of Medicine has given Eden more hope and more time.
  • If you are in the Houston area, join ALSF for the second annual Lemon Climb Houston on March 30, 2019 and support the fight against childhood cancer! 
    If you are in the Houston area, join ALSF for the second annual Lemon Climb Houston on March 30, 2019 and support the fight against childhood cancer! 

by Trish Adkins

Did you know that Houston is a hub for childhood cancer research? With world-class researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF)-funded research is helping kids fight cancer in Houston and beyond! 

At the end of March, ALSF will host the second annual Lemon Climb Houston, an inspirational stair climb where participants are challenged... Read More

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Marloe Rain

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