Hi friends!
I am a second year pediatric oncology fellow at Children's Medical Center of Dallas, and I am excited to be participating in St. Baldrick's this year. Over the last year, I watched four of my beautiful, spirited, brilliant patients die of their cancer. Although we did not have the right tools to save these children, I believe that in my lifetime, we will be able to cure all children's cancer. The only way this will be possible is through continuing aggressive research efforts, funded by organizations like St. Baldrick's!
St. Baldrick's is a unique organization in so many ways. They provide funding only to pediatric cancer research, and they also will support research projects led by fellows like me. The topic of my research project is patterns of hospice use in pediatric oncology patients, and I was lucky to receive funding from St. Baldrick's. As I wrote my "thank you" to St. Baldrick's donors and participants, I realized how deeply touched I am by those who give their time and energy in the fight against kids cancer. I needed to participate too!
I feel like my role in this event is easy: I just show up and have my head shaved. Your role in sponsoring me is so much more important! Please support my patients and their families, and continue to give hope to children with cancer. Please sponsor my participation in St. Baldrick's this year!
Here is a link to a happy story about one of our patients, Jude Cobler. Thanks to Jude and his family for sharing this with me, to share with you!
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/community/give_miracles/Brothers-Share-Love-Bone-Marrow-010512
Rachel Thienprayoon, MD
Fellow, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Children's Medical Center of Dallas