2024 Year-in-Review

Ahana’s Story of Strength with High-Risk Neuroblastoma Every day, over 1,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer,1 and for many families, that diagnosis means facing an uncertain future. At just 20 months old, Ahana was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer that had already spread through her small body. Her family’s search for life-saving childhood cancer treatments led them from South Africa to Spain and possibly toward a clinical trial in New York. Ahana’s journey shows the importance of supporting organizations like Solving Kids’ Cancer, which works to find, fund, and advocate for advanced treatments that give hope to families fighting against tough-to-treat rare pediatric cancers.

Lace Up for Kids: Your Impact on Childhood Cancer Research At Solving Kids’ Cancer, our mission has always been driven by hope — hope for better treatments, hope for breakthroughs, and most importantly, hope for every child fighting cancer. This year’s Lace Up for Kids campaign was nothing short of inspiring. Together, we’ve raised over $264,000 across the entire campaign, funding innovative childhood cancer research and providing more treatment options for children in need.  From coast to coast, nearly 4,000 participants have stepped up to lace up their gold shoelaces and make a difference. Whether it was through schools, sports teams, or community groups, the show of support has been overwhelming throughout the years. Over 7,823 donations have been made to accelerate new treatments, and the hashtag #CareWearShare has been used 13,864 times, spreading the message far and wide!

Gold Laces for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Erin’s Story 

Smithtown Goes Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Lace Up for Kids 2024

Osteosarcoma Survivor to Surgeon: Dr. Kurt Weiss’ Story

Jacob’s Journey: A Childhood Cancer Survivor’s Story Every battle has its heroes, and among the bravest are young children like Jacob Mozer, who faced stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma when he was barely old enough to walk. Diagnosed at only 16 months old, Jacob’s early years were filled with constant medical appointments and intense treatments. Despite these challenges, today, Jacob is a shining example of the remarkable progress in pediatric oncology. He’s not merely surviving; he’s thriving as a pharmacy resident, driven to give back to the medical community that gave him a second chance at life. During National Cancer Survivors Month this June, we honor and celebrate fighters like Jacob who have battled cancer and emerged stronger. This month also serves to amplify the conversation about pediatric cancer survivorship and push for vital research that continues to save lives. Solving Kids’ Cancer (SKC) plays an essential role in this effort, supporting children like Jacob by funding crucial clinical trials that enhance survival rates and improve the quality of life for those fighting fatal childhood cancers.

Trailblazing Treatments for Pediatric Brain Tumors Picture a fortress built to guard precious treasure but accidentally also keeps out the very allies it needs in a time of crisis. This is the challenge faced by medical researchers when dealing with the brain’s natural defense — the blood-brain barrier — especially in children with brain tumors. At Columbia University Medical Center, Dr. Luca Szalontay is leading the charge to breach this fortress with groundbreaking approaches. Recently, Dr. Timothy Cripe from Solving Kids’ Cancer’s podcast, This Week in Pediatric Oncology (TWIPO) , interviewed Dr. Szalontay to delve deeper into these innovative treatments. This Brain Tumor Awareness Month, we’re shining a light on these important advances in treating children’s cancer. Understanding the Challenge Treating pediatric brain tumors like diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is especially tough because of the brain’s own protective shield, known as the blood-brain barrier. This barrier keeps out most chemotherapy drugs as well as large molecules, like antibodies, making it hard to treat the tumors effectively. Dr. Szalontay describes the dilemma: “Our field hasn’t been able to advance as quickly as it has with leukemias or other solid tumors because the drugs don’t penetrate the brain efficiently.” She adds on the nature of this blood-brain barrier, “It’s evolutionary, very important to protect us from different toxins and harmful agents, but this is a shield which protects the tumor as well.” Even when drugs work well in lab tests, they struggle to get to the tumor in strong enough doses without harming the body. Dr. Szalontay also points out that DMG tumors are found in very sensitive areas of the brain, making traditional surgery or radiation risky because they could damage vital brain functions. This makes finding safe and effective treatments for these tumors even more challenging. So, what’s being done to tackle these obstacles and help kids fight these tumors?

World Health Day: Pediatric Cancer’s Global Divide Imagine this: Two children, born at the same moment, oceans apart. In a country brimming with medical resources, one child quickly gets top-notch treatment for cancer. Meanwhile, across the globe, the other child faces a drastically different reality, with limited access to basic care. This isn’t just a thought experiment — it’s the harsh truth of pediatric cancer treatment worldwide. Observed every year on April 7, World Health Day shines a light on the mission to make healthcare accessible for all. This day is particularly significant in the context of pediatric cancer, where vast disparities in treatment availability highlight the global challenge of ensuring every child has the opportunity for health and healing. The Stark Contrast in Survival Rates: A Look at Pediatric Cancer Statistics Every day, more than 1,000 children are diagnosed with cancer, and the chances of survival vary greatly depending on where they live.1 Pediatric cancer survival rates serve as a clear indicator of the disparities between high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In wealthier nations such as the United States and Western Europe, the 5-year survival rate for children with cancer is over 80%, thanks to advanced healthcare systems and access to the latest treatments.2 But, here’s a troubling childhood cancer statistic: in LMICs where 80% of children with cancer live, fewer than 20% survive.1 This gap is due to several factors, including late diagnoses or, tragically, no diagnosis at all. Many children succumb to the disease without access to pain medication, and the burdens of travel and the high costs force most families to abandon care. These challenges are compounded by limited access to necessary treatments,3 as well as a lack of specialized equipment and trained healthcare professionals needed for effective pediatric cancer treatment. Addressing this divide requires a concerted global effort to improve early detection, make treatments more affordable, and enhance healthcare infrastructures, giving every child a fair chance to beat cancer. Navigating the Access Maze Access to cancer care shouldn’t be a treasure hunt. Yet, for many in LMICs, it feels like that — a relentless search for something seemingly out of reach. Here’s the reality revealed in childhood cancer statistics worldwide: many areas lack enough doctors who specialize in children’s cancer4 and the prices of cancer drugs can be sky-high.2 Even getting to a hospital can be an ordeal, with some families traveling hundreds of miles. And the financial strain? Devastating. The cost of care can quickly add up to more than a year’s income, forcing households into deep financial distress. In many LMICs, the lack of comprehensive insurance coverage means families are often left to pay for pediatric cancer treatment entirely out-of-pocket.5 Families often face the impossible choice between their child’s health and their financial survival. Solving Kids’ Cancer: Bridging the Gap Solving Kids’ Cancer (SKC) isn’t standing by; we’re on the front lines, actively working to make a difference in the global pediatric cancer landscape. Beyond funding research, advocating for policy changes, and fostering global partnerships, SKC is committed to educating and empowering the community to take action. We understand that while we might not have a global foothold to address every aspect of the pediatric cancer divide directly, there’s power in collective action. Through our efforts, we aim to catalyze advancements in pediatric cancer treatments and care that could dramatically change outcomes for children worldwide. • Research: We direct funds into cutting-edge studies, searching for breakthrough treatments that promise a brighter future for all kids, regardless of where they live. • Advocacy: We advocate for children’s needs by steering research funding towards unmet challenges and collaborating with experts to prioritize all children, including expanding trials to international sites to maximize access.2 • Global Partnerships: We don’t do it alone. By teaming up with researchers, hospitals, and other organizations across the globe, we’ve helped fund clinical trials that have extended to over 250 institutions across 15 countries worldwide . Uniting for a Cause Solving Kids’ Cancer extends its mission beyond research by fostering community and collaboration. Our signature event, Lace Up for Kids , held annually during September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, is a powerful testament to this mission, drawing communities together to stand in solidarity against childhood cancer. Additionally, supporters can create their own fundraiser and have a platform to engage their local communities, sparking crucial conversations and garnering support for the cause. These initiatives highlight an important fact: While the challenge of pediatric cancer is significant, each of us has a part to play. By working together and supporting each other, we can fund the research needed to possibly change the direction of pediatric cancer treatment and care worldwide. World Health Day: A Chance for Every Child The fight against pediatric cancer is a stark reminder of the work ahead of us.6 It’s a battle that Solving Kids’ Cancer is dedicated to, but we need more than just our efforts — we need a global movement. This World Health Day, let’s rally for every child’s right to fight cancer on an even playing field. Donate today to help fund more innovative research and one day find a cure for childhood cancer — because every child, no matter where they are born, deserves a chance — a chance to fight, a chance to survive, and a chance to thrive.