Message from PCF's President

Dear Loyal PCF Supporters,

I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for your continued involvement with Pediatric Cancer Foundation. As we conclude our 40th year of working towards a cure for this devastating disease, I am proud to say that, with your support, we have once again met our goals and commitments to the doctors we funded this past fiscal year. With neither federal funding nor pharmaceutical company resources, we rely on all of you to help make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer. You have brought us one step closer to finding a cure and we are truly grateful.

Your dollars helped fulfill the following featured lifesaving projects:

• A developmental therapeutic program which has introduced and advanced new treatments for children with cancer. This involves clinical trials at a national level for repeat leukemia and high risk neuroblastoma who have failed prior therapy.

• Research based on clinical trials, which has evolved into new regimens for children with treatment- resistant cancers. PCF’s support has made the difference between this lifesaving research laboratory continuing or shutting down.

• A three year hematology/oncology fellowship program which trains a scientist-clinician qualified and dedicated to the practice of compassionate research-driven care for children with malignancies and blood disorders. At this same hospital, we funded pediatric infusion pumps necessary in the treatment of young patients.

• Continued research and development of antibodies and immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact. Targeted gene therapy is not covered by insurance and depends upon PCF support.

• Research exploring acute myeloid leukemia relapse and the difficulties of treatment. A project to identify four of the six known Diamond Blackfan anemia genes and which mutations in these genes give rise to malignancy is ongoing.

• An alternative complimentary medicine program that focuses on the pain, nausea, anxiety and depression that generally accompany chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplants and surgery. This includes reiki, yoga, massage and nutrition therapy.

This year, we are working harder than ever to continue meeting our goals and commitments to the doctors and hospitals we support. We look forward to partnering with you once again during this coming year as we ...hold the hand of a child.

Warm regards,
Cheryl Rosen
PCF President

Artwork created by pediatric oncology patient Astea, age 12