Researcher Spotlight: Meet Dr. Peter de Blank
From MRIs to CT scans, kids with brain cancer get pictures taken of their tumors all the time. St. Baldrick’s Scholar Dr. Peter de Blank wants to get more out of those pictures, so that all children can lead long, healthy lives. Read on for more about this St. Baldrick’s Scholar and the exciting work he’s doing with a new imaging technology.
Getting scans done is a routine part of life for a kid with cancer, like 2013 Ambassador Emily. Dr. Peter de Blank wants to use new technology to get more out of scans like these.
For Dr. Peter de Blank, a picture is not only worth a thousand words — a picture can save a life.
As a St. Baldrick’s Scholar at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. de Blank is studying how a new radiographic tool, called magnetic resonance fingerprinting, or MRF, might improve outcomes for kids with cancer.
The Long Road Ahead: Chase’s Brain Tumor Effects, Part 2
This is part two of a two-part series where Chase’s mom, Ellie, explains the surprising results of Chase’s neuropsychology evaluation, and how their family is coping with the lasting effects of his brain tumor. Read part one >
I marvel at how so many cancer parents know exactly where their child’s tumor was located in the brain. I am not one of those parents.
I asked some other crazy and weird stuff at the time of his diagnosis, but I never asked exactly where the tumor was located. At 6 centimeters with midline shift and tumor cell metastasis, it seemed to be everywhere.
Which is why it stopped me dead in my tracks to realize for the first time in three years that Chase’s tumor decimated his language center.
Did you hear that? Chase shouldn’t be able to talk.
A Quest for Neurological Answers: Chase’s Brain Tumor Effects, Part 1
Earlier this month, Chase went for a neuropsychology evaluation. His mom, Ellie, explains the events leading up to it, the news that stunned them, and how they plan to navigate the lasting effects of his brain tumor.
Chase smiles with his parents, Ellie and Bob.
As he stood before me, he nodded somewhat unwillingly. “OK, fine. Just one picture.”
Chase was going to “his hospital,” and he was going as a pirate. Because nothing says “this is who I am” like a pirate costume.
Chase’s Dad Pounds the Pavement for a Cure
Earlier this month, Ambassador Chase’s dad, Bob, ran a marathon to raise money for childhood cancer research. He also raised awareness in a big way — read all about it in Chase’s mom’s account of the day.
Chase, now 5, was diagnosed with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor in August 2012.
Five hours and 31 minutes.
For five hours and 31 minutes he pounded the pavement, putting his feet to his purpose. And for all those hours and all those miles, past crowds, houses and fields in the November sun, he ran holding a sign in the air — “Chase Away Cancer.”
So Many Reasons to Celebrate: An Update on Grace
Last month, 2014 Ambassador Grace had her final post-treatment MRI. Her mom, Bekah, shares the good news, along with some other milestones that have had them smiling this past summer.
Grace smiles with her parents, Bekah and Russell.
Grace’s MRI in August showed no evidence of disease. And now, eight years after diagnosis, the MRIs are done.
This is a huge medical milestone every cancer parent dreams of. It hasn’t completely sunk in.
Babies and Cancer [Q&A]
Anyone can get cancer — even babies. Dr. Erin Breese, a St. Baldrick’s Fellow studying infant leukemia, explains the signs, symptoms and treatment of babies with cancer, and how research is helping pinpoint better therapies so babies with cancer can grow up to live long, healthy lives.
Can babies get cancer?
Unfortunately, cancer can occur at any age including during infancy. According to recent statistics, roughly 23 of every 100,000 babies are diagnosed with cancer each year.
Decrypting DIPG: Gaining Insight Into an Incurable Brain Cancer
St. Baldrick’s Scholar Dr. Oren Becher is working to decrypt one of the most deadly and least understood childhood cancers — DIPG, or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Thanks to diligent and brilliant work in the labs of research greats and a boost from St. Baldrick’s, Dr. Becher now has his own lab and his own team team dedicated to DIPG research. Together they’re determined to make a difference for kids with this currently incurable brain cancer.
Dr. Oren Becher recently moved to his own lab, where he studies DIPG in an effort to find a treatment for the deadly brain cancer.
Ambassador Grace Helps Other Brain Tumor Survivors Thrive Through a New Research Grant
Ambassador Grace finished treatment for a brain tumor seven years ago. Now, as she faces the late effects of her battle with a smile and her shining spirit, she is also helping other kids going through the same challenges through her fundraising efforts. Today we announce the Grace for Good St. Baldrick’s Supportive Care Grant, which is going to a research team using the latest technology and testing to find ways to help survivors like Grace.
Grace and her mom, Bekah.
Jeremy Is Still Going Strong as He Battles Brain Cancer for the Third Time
Diagnosed with ependymoma, a type of brain tumor, Honored Kid Jeremy is well-known for going with the flow through surgery after surgery. Now the 11-year-old Minnesotan will be winning everyone over with his bright smile and easygoing spirit in Chicago — he and his family just got the news that he’s been accepted to a clinical trial in the Windy City. Read on to learn more about Jeremy’s amazing story thus far and the chapter that’s just beginning.
Jeremy, in the black shirt, relaxes with his parents and brothers during a St. Baldrick’s event.
Jeremy bikes and swims and rollerblades. You’d never know that he has a brain tumor — unless you saw the scar on the back of his head, said his mom, Carol.
In fact, when Jeremy got home one day after his third brain surgery, he asked his mom if he could ride his bike.
ATRT Is No Match for Ben
Honored Kid Ben was an astonishing 15 days old when he was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. The tiny baby was a fighter and now, seven years later, Ben is cancer free. “He can hit his head and fall down and whatever. He just gets back up with a smile and keeps going like there’s nothing that stops him,” said his mom, Erin.
Ben was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor as an infant and has battled through every obstacle thrown his way.
Erin Worsham’s pregnancy was flawless.
The ultrasounds looked great. Everything went smoothly.
A week after he arrived, even the pediatrician remarked that Ben was perfect.
There was no indication of what was to come.
« Newer PostsOlder Posts »
SBF
Tweets »
