CAC2 Childhood Cancer Community News Digest (March 21-27)

Assorted News from Last Week:

Cancer survivors have increasingly advocated for research into the long-term effects of their treatment.  Read more about that perspective from post doctoral research scientist and long-term childhood leukemia survivor, Victoria J. Forster.

Treatment for glioma has long relied on MRI imaging to track tumor markers and treatment response. But new findings suggest a new method could provide additional data about tumor markers before changes appear on an MRI, indicating possible strategies to help clinicians address this aggressive form of cancer.

Scientists have identified variants in two genes that are associated with accelerated aging in childhood cancer survivors.

The profound permanence of parental grief.

Upcoming Webinars and Online Opportunities:

Throughout March, non-profit patient support organization Living LFS raises awareness of Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), a rare genetic predisposition to developing a wide range of cancers.  Half of all Li-Fraumeni syndrome cancers occur before the age of 30.  Visit LFSawareness.com to learn more about Li-Fraumeni syndrome, spread the word, and support families living with LFS!

Ricardo Garcia (CAC2 Member and co-founder of Oncoheroes Biosciences), and Thomas Gad (co-founder of CAC2 Member Y-mAbs Therapeutics, Inc.), both dads touched by #childhoodcancer, will speak at a Training Capsule event sponsored by  i4KIDS on March 29th, 10:00-11:30 am EDT.   Free Inscription & Info: https://lnkd.in/eukqmzfq

AYAs Take Chicago presents “When We Had Cancer”! Join Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, University of Chicago Medicine, The Cancer Patient at their virtual national event in for AYA Awareness Week happening on Thursday, March 31st! Panelists include survivors, caregivers, and more!  Open to all cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, friends and family, NATION WIDE.  Register:   Registration link.

You’re invited to join the Alliance for Childhood Cancer for the 11th Annual Childhood Cancer Action Days. This virtual event brings our community together to advocate for important childhood cancer issues currently before Congress.  Training will be virtually held on Thursday, April 21st at 1 p.m. EST in preparation for the virtual Action Day on Thursday, April 28th.  Register to participate: https://www.allianceforchildhoodcancer.org/join-us/action-days-2022.html.

On May 11 at 2:00-4:00 ET, join the NIH Common Fund for another public webinar.  Register to hear updates from the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (Kids First), as well as latest research findings from Kids First investigators. The Kids First Data Resource Center (Kids First DRC) will also be on hand to present updates on the latest analysis tools and resources in development within the Data Resource.

The 20^th International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, ISPNO 2022 from 12 – 15 June 2022, and the Annual Meeting of the Brain Tumor Group of SIOP Europe (SIOPE-BTG) in Hamburg, Germany, from 11 – 12 June 2022.  Registration link.

Recordings of Recent Past Events:

Take Action:

The following Action Opportunities are sponsored by Childhood Cancer International (CCI) to aid children with cancer and their families in the Ukraine.  CAC2 is a member of CCI.

The campaign to support Ukrainian families is called the Ukrainian Childhood Cancer Emergency Fund.  All funds will be centralised on CCI Europe’s bank account and spent following a strict and transparent workframe including regular reports.

In an effort to better support families, Ryan’s Case for Smiles is seeking caregivers to participate in a 1 hour recorded Zoom session while navigating through our site CopingSpace.org. They can be any member of the family who cares for the child (Father/Mother/Grandparent/Aunt etc) and will receive a $25 Amazon gift card for their participation. We are also collecting shorter online surveys at https://copingspace.org/survey/.  Email Katie at  for more information and to participate.

The EVAN Foundation (CAC2 Member) is proud to announce the launch of the Evan Lindberg and Erik Ludwinski College Scholarship Program for Childhood Cancer Survivors. HS seniors can apply for awards of $2,500 a year, renewable annually for 4 years of undergraduate coursework. Applications accepted from March 15th – May 1st. Two scholarships will be awarded in 2022 with winners announced July 1st.  Click for more information and to apply.