Sat. Feb. 11th
This week was very enlightening.
Earlier this week, I attended a scientific conference with about 170 leading researchers from 11 different countries. These 170 ‘investigators’ were MDs/Ph.Ds/or both, and the remaining 10 people in attendance were folks like me from childhood cancer organizations. The conference was titled “Pediatric Cancer Translational Genomics”. While I’m not pretending to have grasped everything, it was a fascinating conference. Not only were the 36 scientific presentations interesting, but it was a very encouraging sign of international collaboration across a broad spectrum of research institutions and specialties. I was honored to be invited and I applaud Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Rally, CureSearch, St. Baldrick’s, Hyundai, and the other sponsors for bringing this group together.
I would like to tell you that I learned that we are on the verge of curing all 12 major types of childhood cancer and the many, more minor (in terms of incidence rate) types.
I can’t.
I was a little surprised by how much we DON’T know about these cancers. However, I was encouraged to see that there has been a tremendous amount of discovery in the last 5 years, and it bodes well for the next 5-10 years. Assuming, of course, that we can fund this work. The intensive study of genomics opens up great opportunity for us. In the next few months, I plan to share more with you about a blockbuster study – the St. Jude/Washington Univ. Pediatric Cancer Genomics Project. This $65 million project is by far the largest such effort and I had a good conversation with the Director of the study. Very importantly, they are willing to share their learnings with the world. So, there are some things that show great promise and give me hope.
You might wonder why I would sit in a conference room for 3 days listening to 36 presentations about the P53 gene, MYC-N, and a bunch of other seemingly foreign things. Yes, my head did feel like it was going to explode at times. And, yes, some of the things brought tears to my eyes as bad memories resurfaced. I sat there taking notes with my right hand while Googling terms on my iPad with my left. The primary reason that I attended was because I have a responsibility to you, our B+ supporters. If we are going to continue to give out research grants, and we are, I need to learn as much as I can. Not only do I have a fiduciary and moral obligation to you, but I have an educational responsibility as the steward of your support. The B+ Foundation is NOT a foundation that sits on the sidelines and simply mails checks to researchers. We are intimately involved! And, I think it’s very important for these researchers to sit side-by-side with patient families. We are all a team.
I pray that the work that comes out of this Conference and the great work of these talented people is not simply the process of discovery, but of clinical utility as well. To me, ‘discovery’ means nothing unless we can apply it, translate it. Bench to bedside…that’s what it’s all about!
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If your child is battling cancer (or has in the past) or you know someone who has, here’s an invitation from CHOP. The Cancer Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is hosting a free Family Education Day on Sunday, March 4 for any child treated for pediatric cancer, whether they are on or off treatment as well as their siblings and family. For more information, please visit:
http://www.chop.edu/service/oncology/cancer-center-events/family-education-day-2012.html
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It is with great sadness that I inform you that another child has left this world so young following a battle with cancer. Luke Letellier, who I wrote about last week, passed away this morning at 5:38am. Yes, Luke is no longer battling the terrible pain. But, please pray for the Letellier family as they are in the worst place imaginable. May God bless them and give them the strength of Luke.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lukeletellier
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Unfortunately, I’d like to introduce you to another young man who has recently entered the battle against cancer. Katie Buenaga, a local young lady and B+ supporter, is a runner at the College of William & Mary and shared with me this morning the story of another W&M athlete, Ian Stowe. Ian is a recent grad and former soccer player (wore #15….like Andrew did throughout his playing ‘career’ in DE) who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. I don’t have a Caringbridge site for you to visit and leave encouraging messages, but Ian does have a site which provides information and has nice pictures. I will keep you posted as I learn more about ways that we can help Ian.
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Make it a great weekend! If your life ended today, are you happy about the way you lived your final 48 hours???
Live Like Andrew!
B+
Ali & Andrew’s Dad