What Are Clinical Trials? For Kids With Cancer, Clinical Trials Are a Chance at Life
Honored Kid Austin while battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Right: Austin in 2024, being 10 years cancer-free.
For kids with cancer and their families, clinical trials mean hope – in two ways.
First, phase 1 clinical trials can offer a chance for survival for children with no other viable treatment options.
Second, larger clinical trials help determine whether a new treatment (already tested for safety) offers a better outcome for children than the current standard of care. A better outcome can mean more children cured, or fewer side effects, or a better health outlook for survivors.
With your help, St. Baldrick’s provides crucial support for clinical trials at all stages. Since 2005, more than 145,000 children and teens have been part of a trial supported by St. Baldrick’s donors.
The Top 2021 Messages Worth Remembering
As we close a difficult year, we reflect on lessons shared by childhood cancer patients and survivors who have faced adversity with grace, courage, and resilience. From their words, come some messages worth remembering now.
Sarah Swaim, age 31, two-time leukemia survivor & advocate
St. Baldrick’s Honored Kid, Sarah Swaim, and two-time leukemia survivor shares how having support during her cancer diagnosis helped her to keep going.Our family was an ordinary family before childhood cancer.
This was written by Hudson’s mom, Jessica McKearney.
I work as a Nurse Practitioner and Kyle works as a Project Manager. We live in a small town in Northeast Iowa. Before March 2019, Hudson was an energetic, Mickey Mouse and car loving toddler. He was spirited, happy, loved to dance and kept us on our toes. In November 2018, Hudson became a big brother to his sister Violet. Two under two was exciting and exhausting. Hudson was caring, empathetic, and always wanted to be with Violet. They had an incredible bond, and we were grateful to have two happy and healthy toddlers.
OUT-OF-THE-BOX THINKER RECEIVES AWARD FOR INNOVATION
Unthinkable.
That’s how Dr. Olivier Ayrault described the loss of two school friends to cancer when he was growing up. The experience left an indelible imprint on him and he believes set his course in life to do something to fight cancer.
What is Hepatoblastoma?
What is Burkitt Lymphoma?
Raman Bahal, Ph.D., a St. Baldrick’s Research Grant recipient at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, explains Burkitt Lymphoma symptoms, treatment options, and research opportunities.
Reflecting on 20 Years of Supporting Childhood Cancer Research
In the St. Baldrick’s Foundation community, John Bender has been a catalyst for raising funds in support of lifesaving childhood cancer research and clinical trials.
In 1999, he was one of three reinsurance executives – along with Tim Kenny and Enda McDonnell – who made head shaving part of their mission to find better treatments and eventually a cure for kids’ cancers. Today, as a co-founder and Chairman Emeritus, John remains a major part of the organization and an inspiration to those who have taken up this vital cause.
That’s why, with the twentieth year of head shaving upon us, we asked John to share his thoughts on two decades of fighting childhood cancers.
Rockstar Researcher Uses Lasers to Fight Childhood Cancers
It might seem that Department of Defense technology that’s used to detect explosives might not have any use in diagnosing childhood cancers. But, if you ask St. Baldrick’s Foundation “Rockstar Researcher” Dr. Bruce Shiramizu, this technology has real potential to help patients, parents, caregivers, and the cancer community.
It’s why this Hawaii-based doctor, who has worked on the mainland at the University of California San Francisco and at the National Institutes of Health, is so passionate about his research work and what it might be able to do for children throughout the world. This veteran researcher has shaved his head multiple times for St. Baldrick’s – that’s one definition of a “Rockstar Researcher” – and his body of work speaks volumes.
Join the Fight: Shave Your Head for Kids’ Cancer Research
It’s time once again to join the fight against childhood cancers by funding research and clinical trials that can stop this disease from taking more lives.
You may be a past participant or someone who’s been on the fence about joining a head-shave event. Regardless of your past involvement, we urge you to join our fight to take childhood back from cancer.
Dr. Alex Huang: Head Shaver, Cancer Fighter, Knight Commander
For the 11th consecutive year, Dr. Alex Huang will be shaving his head for kids’ cancer research. A pediatric oncologist and professor at Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and the Angie Fowler AYA Cancer Institute at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, he’s no stranger to the fight against childhood cancers.
In fact, as an accomplished cancer fighter who’s dedicated time – and hair! – to helping raise money for childhood cancer research, he’s the very definition of a “Rockstar Shavee”.
Dr. Alex Huang, winner of a St. Baldrick’s Innovation Award, will shave his head for an 11th time this year.
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