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What Is MIBG?
When your child is diagnosed with cancer, you have to learn a whole new language in just a few days. Terms, phrases, and abbreviations are used by healthcare professionals who deal with cancer every day. And it can leave you dazed. But sometimes it helps to use an acronym, for instance MIBG – which stands for metaiodeobenzylguanidine. Just try saying that ten times in a row! MIGB is used to treat neuroblastoma. This clear liquid consists of two materials: metaiodobenzylguanidine, or MIBG, and I-131, a radioactive material. The MIBG carries the radioactive I-131 specifically to your child’s tumors, where it targets the cancer cells over many weeks. Understanding the MIBG treatment process Before infusion Before your child receives MIBG, oral potassium iodide (also referred to as “SSKI”) is given to your child. This protects the thyroid from I-131. Your child will continue to take this...
Rally Awards Outside the Box Grants
Rally Awards Novel Grants to Three Childhood Cancer Researchers Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (“Rally”) awarded $150,000 to three researchers at three different institutions for Outside the Box novel childhood cancer research ideas. “Rally sees itself as philanthropic seed investors in the next great discovery — we like to invest early and are willing to take risks because these Outside the Box ideas may pave the way to finding better treatments and cures,” says Dean Crowe, Founder and CEO. Each grant was dual peer-reviewed and only the highest scoring applications received funding. Rally is pleased to partner with Kids Join The Fight and cureMEC for this year’s competition. These Outside the Box Grants provide seed funding to three researchers for brand new ideas that directly address pediatric, adolescent and young adult brain cancer or myoepithelial carcinoma. ...
What a Difference a Decade Makes
May of 2013 brought the last dose of chemo for my daughter, Danielle. Back then it was hard to see or even think about what life would be like ten years down the road. Honestly, I wouldn’t even allow myself to look that far ahead. Danielle was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January of 2011. When the genetic testing came back on her leukemia about a month after diagnosis, it was not good news. She had all the bad markers and none of the good ones. I chose to focus on the fact that, one month in, she was responding well to treatment and was technically in remission. We just kept marching on. But it never left my mind that this unfavorable genetic news was lurking in the background. Her treatment had five phases with names…induction, consolidation, interim maintenance, delayed intensification and maintenance. As I lived in this world and watched other families...
Brain Tumor Network Guides Patients and Empowers Care
A few months ago, Rally Mom Tiffany shared with Rally Foundation the outstanding support their family has been receiving from the Brain Tumor Network (BTN) for her son and Rally Kid, Logan: “BTN has been a wonderful resource for our family. They are responsive, knowledgeable and compassionate.” BTN is the largest brain tumor patient support organization of its kind in the U.S. Since 2014, BTN has provided free navigation services to almost 2,000 patients. BTN pediatric brain tumor navigation program provides age-appropriate services for families with children under the age of 18 whose primary diagnosis is a brain tumor. BTN partners with care teams to meet each individual patient’s goal of care. How BTN Helps Led by Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Nurse Navigator Jenna Tozzi, BA, RN, BTN’s pediatric services include: diagnosis and treatment options education, treatment center identification,...
What Is A Second Opinion?
Hey Mom and Dad, Let’s chat, Cancer Parent to Cancer Parent, about seeking a second opinion. I’ll be the first to admit I was very nervous when seeking a second opinion. I did not want my child’s team to feel insulted or think that I didn’t trust them. We LOVE our team, and we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they love our daughter. And guess what? After receiving the second opinion, the first thing our primary doctor said was “Never feel bad about seeking a second opinion.” In the immortal words of artist and rapper Macklemore, let’s talk about “What it is. What it does. What it isn’t.” What it is: A second opinion is defined as an independent professional review and assessment of a patient’s illness. A doctor, who is not currently treating your child, carefully reviews the treatment plan and confirms the diagnosis, offers advice, education, and may suggest alternative treatments....
Rally Awards Most Grants Ever
Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research Awards $4 Million in 2023 In 2023, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (“Rally”) will award a total of $4 million to 57 researchers across 30 institutions worldwide – the largest number of childhood cancer research grants ever to be distributed since Rally was founded in 2005. “This brings the total amount of research funds that Rally has awarded to $29.4 million – and it is the highest amount we have been able to award in one year,” says Dean Crowe, Founder and CEO. “In 2022, we were delighted by the significant increase in funds raised thanks to our grassroot supporters, special events and incredibly generous corporate donors. Our mission speaks to all: to fund the best research wherever it may be to help find better childhood cancer treatments with fewer long-term side effects and, ultimately, cures.” Rally grants are awarded...
What Is MIBG?
When your child is diagnosed with cancer, you have to learn a whole new language in just a few days. Terms, phrases, and abbreviations are used by healthcare professionals who deal with cancer every day. And it can leave you dazed. But sometimes it helps to use an acronym, for instance MIBG – which stands for metaiodeobenzylguanidine. Just try saying that ten times in a row! MIGB is used to treat neuroblastoma. This clear liquid consists of two materials: metaiodobenzylguanidine, or MIBG, and...
Rally Awards Outside the Box Grants
Rally Awards Novel Grants to Three Childhood Cancer Researchers Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (“Rally”) awarded $150,000 to three researchers at three different institutions for Outside the Box novel childhood cancer research ideas. “Rally sees itself as philanthropic seed investors in the next great discovery — we like to invest early and are willing to take risks because these Outside the Box ideas may pave the way to finding better treatments and cures,” says Dean Crowe,...
What a Difference a Decade Makes
May of 2013 brought the last dose of chemo for my daughter, Danielle. Back then it was hard to see or even think about what life would be like ten years down the road. Honestly, I wouldn’t even allow myself to look that far ahead. Danielle was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January of 2011. When the genetic testing came back on her leukemia about a month after diagnosis, it was not good news. She had all the bad markers and none of the good ones. I chose to focus on...
Brain Tumor Network Guides Patients and Empowers Care
A few months ago, Rally Mom Tiffany shared with Rally Foundation the outstanding support their family has been receiving from the Brain Tumor Network (BTN) for her son and Rally Kid, Logan: “BTN has been a wonderful resource for our family. They are responsive, knowledgeable and compassionate.” BTN is the largest brain tumor patient support organization of its kind in the U.S. Since 2014, BTN has provided free navigation services to almost 2,000 patients. BTN pediatric brain tumor navigation...
What Is A Second Opinion?
Hey Mom and Dad, Let’s chat, Cancer Parent to Cancer Parent, about seeking a second opinion. I’ll be the first to admit I was very nervous when seeking a second opinion. I did not want my child’s team to feel insulted or think that I didn’t trust them. We LOVE our team, and we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they love our daughter. And guess what? After receiving the second opinion, the first thing our primary doctor said was “Never feel bad about seeking a second opinion.” In the...
Rally Awards Most Grants Ever
Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research Awards $4 Million in 2023 In 2023, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (“Rally”) will award a total of $4 million to 57 researchers across 30 institutions worldwide – the largest number of childhood cancer research grants ever to be distributed since Rally was founded in 2005. “This brings the total amount of research funds that Rally has awarded to $29.4 million – and it is the highest amount we have been able to award in one year,”...