Dr. Jessica Kandel’s lab focuses on the role of abnormal blood vessel growth in childhood tumors. Dr. Kandel’s team recently found that a toxin made by a common bacteria produces changes in the blood vessels that affect metastasis. The team used this expertise to treat a one-month old baby with a rare tumor of the arm, which grew so quickly that it actually burst. Dr. Kandel and her colleagues, using the specialized knowledge translated from the laboratory research effort, were able to quickly mobilize, control the tumor, and save the baby’s arm. He is now a happy and normal toddler!
University of Chicago Medicine
Comer Children’s Hospital
My name is Ryan Gilchrist and I am a junior at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx.
In January of 2013, I was a seventh grader and diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was scared, but the medical and nursing staff at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital led by Dr. Mitchell Cairo calmed my fears. I knew that I would receive the best care in the world. I had great support from my family, friends, and teammates. This support group was named “Team Gilly”, in honor of my nickname.
I directly benefitted from the work of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation (PCF), which supports the Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation program at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. I was cancer-free in exactly three months and was able to get back to all the activities that I love so much. In the Spring of 2016, I was able to help Fordham Prep win a NY State Championship in Lacrosse. I could not have asked for a better outcome in battling my disease. Thank you PCF!
As an 8th grade girl getting prepared for high school, at the age of 13, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and have since turned to Pediatric Cancer Foundation to show my eternal support and appreciation for the cause. I am currently 25 years old and will never forget in 2001, at the very end of my middle school years, when I endured intense weekly chemotherapy treatments for six months at Westchester Medical Center. I always say I lost my strength and my hair but never my hope. Thanks to an overwhelming amount of support, including from Pediatric Cancer Foundation, I am proud to be a survivor and cancer-free.
Pediatric Cancer Foundation does an amazing job in getting the community involved in this great cause. It is truly incredible and touching to see people help fight this fight for you and with you. The supporters are everyday people who encourage and give us love and hope. Hope for a world where one day no child will ever have to hear the word “cancer” again. In the meantime, let’s walk. together, strive together, hope together and most importantly …hold the hand of a child together to one day get closer to a cure.
- Krista Egloff
When Daniel was treated for Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2004 at the age of 14,
PCF was a tremendous emotional support system for our family. At the same time, we learned about how PCF was funding important research projects at the hospitals where Daniel was getting his chemotherapy and radiation. Now that he is well again, our family is so pleased to work hand-in-hand with PCF. We are committed to giving back to an amazing organization as well as to other children and their families who are stricken with cancer. We all share the determination to find a cure for childhood cancer.
- The Rosen Family
We were living a seemingly normal life when our 6 year old daughter, Gia, started to suffer with leg pain, lower back pain and a slight fever in the middle of October, 2016. Numerous doctor and hospital visits originally concluded that she had a viral illness and muscular pain. On October 28, after waiting 3 days for an MRI and another 40 hours for a diagnosis, our nightmare began. We were told that our little girl could have cancer. Our world began tumbling down as the thoughts of treatment and uncertainty consumed us. Several more tests were needed for a diagnosis and on November 1, it was confirmed that Gia had stage 4 Neuroblastoma.
Along with overwhelming concerns for Gia's health, we are very fortunate to have a lot of support from our family, friends, colleagues and communities. A good friend put us in contact with Pediatric Cancer Foundation, which has not only provided emotional support and guidance for Gia but also for our entire family. They put us in contact with The Princess Project (young women who dress as princesses), and arranged a visit for Gia and her siblings, Jordana and Tino to bring magic into our house. In addition, over the holidays, PCF Chairman of the Board, Cheryl Rosen and PCF Administrative Director, Nancy Joselson visited us at home bringing gifts for all three of our children and spending time talking with us. Cheryl told us her story as a parent of a cancer survivor and how she and her family coped through their son's diagnosis and recovery.
Pediatric Cancer Foundation is an amazing organization which has provided us with tremendous support for Gia and our family during this difficult time. Please help us in bringing awareness of childhood cancer, providing funds to facilitate childhood cancer research and to help other families in need.
- Carmine & Dana Gentile
Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s mission is to develop a cure for childhood cancer. For more than 45 years, the 501(c) (3) nonprofit has raised money for game-changing research, patient treatment and endowing world renowned doctors at the hospitals PCF supports.
