CAC2 Childhood Cancer Community News Digest (September 13-26)

Assorted news from the last two weeks:

In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, NCI Director Ned Sharpless reflected on the progress that’s been made against cancers that largely affect children.

New Jersey established the “Pediatric Cancer Research Fund” and an advisory board within the New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research for disbursement of monies deposited in the fund and provides voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns for pediatric cancer research. Additionally, S3724 appropriates $5 million to the New Jersey Pediatric Cancer Fund.

A study of children with cancer identified an association between physical activity, fatigue, and sleep and quality of life (QOL), particularly distress. In addition, children on active treatment have a higher frequency of distress compared to those in survivorship. These findings were published in Cancer Nursing.

The Inspiration4 crew has lifted off onboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon.  This is the brainchild of Jared Isaacman, who made his billions by founding a company called Shift4 Payments, which processes retail payments. His idea was to buy a space mission from SpaceX, including the use of a SpaceX Dragon, to raise money for St. Jude’s for childhood cancer research.

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital have uncovered a potential Achilles heel of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children that could lead to new treatments for this devastating disease.

Recent Recorded Sessions:

The FDA Oncology Center of Excellence presented Conversations on Cancer – The Future of Childhood Cancer Drug Development: Is the Sky the Limit? This informal panel discussion explored personal perspectives from survivors, clinicians, caregivers, and pediatric patient advocates on the impact of childhood cancer

ICON Pediatrics Team & CISCRP presented Advocating for Yourself or Your Child in a Clinical Trial.

CureFest LiveStream

Night of Lights LiveStream

A public webinar, hosted by the CCDI Engagement Committee, provided an overview of CCDI, including foundational goals and vision, as well as an update on two programs within CCDI, the National Childhood Cancer Registry and the Molecular Characterization Protocol.

The second season of Sanjay Gupta’s podcast “Chasing Life” will kick off on September 7 by delving into the topic of pediatric cancer.  You can access the episode here:  Chasing a Cure.

Listen to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation webinar Engaging in Advocacy: How to Amplify the Power of Your Story.  Presenters for this webinar include Sarah Milberg, Director of Government Relations and Advocacy at St. Baldrick’s Foundation, CAC2 Member Susannah Koontz at Koontz Oncology Consulting, and Rene Marsh, CNN’s government regulation and transportation correspondent.