What is Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)?
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a brain tumor found in a part of the brain stem—above the back of the neck and connected to the...
What is a Glioma?
“Glioma” is a general term for a group of tumors that begin in glial cells—the supporting cells of the brain. Gliomas are classified based...
What is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, also called acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ALL for short, is a type of blood cancer that causes bone marrow...
What is Retinoblastoma?
In simple terms, retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that develops in the immature cells of the retina. Though it is rare—with approximately...
What is Wilms Tumor?
Wilms tumor is a type of kidney cancer that primarily develops in children around the ages of three and four. It’s the most common type of...
Cancer in Teens and Young Adults
Childhood cancer is a big problem. In the U.S. alone, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer every school day. But it doesn’t just affect...
What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a blood cancer of the myeloid cells that normally form white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets....
Dean’s Letter – December 2025
Twenty years ago, Rally was birthed from a prayer circle in a driveway. William Olson, a junior in high school, was battling brain cancer...
A Message From Nora
Hi! My name is Nora. I am 7 years old and I have a blood cancer called ALL — for a second time. The first time, I was 4 years old and I...
Rally Kid Nora: Fighting for Her Future — Again.
Dance, tumbling, playing outside and all things pink — these are the joys that light up Rally Kid Nora’s world. She loves to go to school...
What is OSI Connect?
OSI Connect is a free, easy-to-use, invaluable resource for those diagnosed with osteosarcoma Osteosarcoma is a difficult and frightening diagnosis, but you are not alone. You can actually connect with leading sarcoma physician experts for a free consult. Yes, free. Yes, a consult not an email. An actual conversation. Founded by parents who have walked the road you are now on, OSI Connect is a resource they wish they would have had. Diagnosis and relapse are overwhelming. It is impossible to...
What is a Free DIPG Nurse Navigator?
Rally Kid Tyson (Image Above), brain cancer (2016-2020)Tyson was just two and a half years old when he was diagnosed with DIPG You Are Not Alone In Your DIPG / DMG Battle Hearing that your child has cancer is devastating. Hearing that your child has cancer and that it is a DIPG / DMG brain tumor is unfathomable - because in the same sentence you learn there is no known cure for DIPG / DMG. Every time we hear that a kid has received this diagnosis, Rally’s heart breaks. However, for parents who...
What Is a Rally Career Development Award?
Career development awards are important. But why? Investigators in their first independent faculty appointment are at a critical career stage where they must establish themselves through research, publications and grant funding. It is important to support the development of independent research by these individuals to move them from mentorship to independence. Career development awards provide the opportunity for investigators to develop independent research by funding a significant portion of...
What Is a Consortium Grant?
What exactly is a consortium? Let us explain. Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (Rally) defines a consortium as three or more institutions (i.e., university, hospital) collaborating on a grant-supported research project. A principal investigator from the lead institution applies with the support of at least two other collaborating institutions. The success of the project depends on the unique contributions of each collaborating institution. RESEARCH GRANTS Rally helps fund the...
What is an Astrocytoma?
An astrocytoma is a brain tumor that begins in astrocytes—a type of glial cell that supports nerve cells in the brain. Astrocytomas can be benign or malignant and typically occur in the brainstem, cerebellum, cerebrum, hypothalamus or optic nerves. Tumors that start in glial cells are called gliomas and are named for the specific kind of glial cell in which they originate: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes or ependymocytes. Astrocytomas are the most common form of gliomas found in...
What is Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH)?
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder in which the body produces an overabundance of Langerhans cells. These cells, which are also known as histiocytes, are a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight off infections. LCH causes too many of these cells to form, ultimately resulting in a buildup in the body. This accumulation of cells then damages organs, forms tumors, and otherwise disrupts normal tissue functions. According to the Histiocytosis Association,...