News

CarePages article: Financial Management During a Medical Crisis
Medical crisis is the leading reason for bankruptcy in the United States . A family facing childhood cancer can be seriously challenged with sudden and unexpected change in their employment and financial situation. Although this article is geared toward adults with cancer, some of the same ideas can be applied to parents of children with cancer. The earlier in the illness that deliberate decisions are made about simplifying finances, the less time it will take to manage them, and the less potential for problems during an already difficult time.

Genetic Glitches Linked to ALL-the Most Common Childhood Cancer
Researchers of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the world's largest pediatric cancer research organization-the research arm of CureSearch-discover two genetic mutations that have an increased link to ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). Discoveries like this one may not lead to prevention right away, but can definitely provide a path to better treatments.

For NICU Parents, Trauma May Last
This article on PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) in the NY Times is specific to kids in the NICU and their parents, but similar studies have been done on children with cancer and their parents. Researcher Richard Shaw, of Stanford, told us, " I work quite extensively with families of children with cancer in our own hospital at Stanford, and concur that PTSD [in parents] and other emotional issues are extremely common, and often overlooked." In one study, Margaret Stuber, MD, and Eyal Shemesh, MD, both of UCLA, found that 20% of young adults who were childhood cancer survivors classified as having PTSD. In the largest study of parents of children cancer survivors (yes, survivors), 37% of mothers and 35% of fathers were found to have either moderate or severe PTSD. The message here: Parents, don't be afraid to ask for support for yourself or your child!

Reach the Day 2009 and Advocacy for CureSearch
For the second year, we attended CureSearch's Reach the Day event June 22-23, 2009 in Washington, D.C.. In addition to receiving updates on the progress and challenges in pediatric cancer research from the Chairman of the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Dr. Greg Reaman, we lobbied Congress for appropriations to fund the Caroline Walker Pryce Conquer Childhood Cancer Act signed into law last July. This year we attended as Team Leaders and had a wonderful group of Upstate New York families with us for our Capitol Hill visits. Sebastian Gillen, an 11-year survivor of Stage IV Neuroblastoma, treated at Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center, provided inspiration to the group of over 400 people before we headed to our meetings. Sebastian spoke of what it means to live as a child with cancer. Many of us know that reality all too well, but to hear it from the child's lips spoke to our hearts and reminded us all that time is of the essence. Kids are losing their childhoods and lives to this horrible disease each and every day. Thank you, Sebastian, for leading the charge that day!

If you'd like to know more about how to get involved in CureSearch activities, how to support CureSearch's work, or to join us for Reach the Day 2010, e-mail curesearch@mirasmovement.org.

To subscribe to our mailing list, please e-mail jointhefight@mirasmovement.org and tell us your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. If you are a family member of a child with cancer, please let us know your relationship to that child and with what type of cancer they were diagnosed.

Thank you for joining the fight!