Inside Pediatrics Winter 2019

COMMITTED TO A CURE

Program that provides traditional pain medication and other therapies, including virtual reality based on relaxation techniques. We have developed a new thrombosis clinic to manage the over 100 cases of blood clots treated in children each year. We are leading the advancement in hemophilia care by introducing a novel therapy that reduces the daily need for IV medications for children with bleeding disorders. Q :Where do you see the fight against cancer in 10 years? A :Over the last five decades, we have made significant strides in our fight against cancer. We are now able to cure approximately 80% of all childhood cancer patients compared to 10% in the 1960s. However, the therapies we use, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, sometimes have lasting side effects on our patients, especially young children. In the last decade or so, there has been an explosion of scientific techniques that have helped us understand the biology of these cancers and what makes them grow. In the next 10 years, I hope that we will have a shift in designing treatments that are directed specifically at the cancer cells and genetic derangements within them and spare normal organs and tissues, i.e., provide therapies that are more effective and less toxic. Q :You chair the Young Investigator’s Committee for Children’s Oncology Group. What advice do you have for young researchers? A :Research can be extremely, extremely frustrating in the sense that it takes a long time to complete, and obtaining funding is a huge challenge because it’s extremely competitive. So my advice is don’t give up. Q :What are you most excited about living in Birmingham? A :We’re having a great time. We go on a walk with our dog in the evening, and we do less walking and more talking with our neighbors. We love the people their Southern hospitality, the barbecue, the blue skies and less traffic.

1,500 The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders is committed to finding a cure for more than children each year who come to us for care.

300 At our Center, more than dedicated pediatric healthcare professionals provide exceptional patient care, education and research.

84% of children

diagnosed with cancer in 2019 will be cured. 90% State-of-the-art

screenings have reduced the rate of stroke in sickle cell patients by

Our team is 1 of ONLY 21 SITES nationwide to participate in the CHILDREN’S ONCOLOGY GROUP PEDIATRIC EARLY PHASE CLINICAL TRIALS NETWORK (PEP CTN) which allows our families to have access to the newest drugs and most promising clinical trials.

We are conducting the 1ST EVER PEDIATRIC IMMUNOTHERAPY CLINICAL TRIAL using the genetically altered herpes virus G207. Our team has treated more than 10 patients from across the U.S. and North America.

For more information about pediatric hematology and oncology at Children’s of Alabama, visit childrensal.org/cancer .

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Learn how you can help at ChildrensAL.org/committedtoacure