The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the 19th Biennial International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (ISPNO), which will be held virtually and in-person on December 13-16, 2020, in Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan.

Since its inaugural meeting in 1986, “ISPNO has become the most prominent and distinguished scientific meeting in the field of pediatric neuro-oncology and covers virtually all aspects of pediatric neuro-oncology, including diagnosis, clinical trials, novel treatment, basic and translational research, neuroradiology, psychology, quality of life, nursing and patient care,” says Koichi Ichimura, MD, PhD, Chair of ISPNO 2020, and Ryo Nishikawa, MD, PhD, Vice Chair of ISPNO 2020, in their conference welcome message.

PBTF’s support for this international gathering of the pediatric neuro-oncology community comes at a time of great change in the meeting landscape due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Despite a delayed meeting (originally scheduled for June 2020), the ISPNO organizing committee has prepared a robust agenda, which includes both on-site and online lectures. Virtual participants will enjoy full access to the main program via livestream and on-demand.

In addition to sponsoring the overall conference, PBTF is the exclusive sponsor for the Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma session, which will highlight advancements in the field from the biological sciences and clinical trial arenas. Dr. David Jones and Dr. Eric Bouffet will provide the keynote address for the PLGG Biology and PLGG Clinical Trial sessions respectively.

“The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s support for this exceptional international scientific meeting will spur collaboration and further turbo-charge exploration of key gaps in the scientific landscape, helping to ensure that the most talented young and experienced scientists will accelerate the speed of developing life-changing targeted therapies for children battling brain cancer today and tomorrow,” says Amy Weinstein, National Director of Research Investments and Advocacy at the PBTF.

PBTF’s leadership in family support will also be featured during the following presentations led by Vice President of Family Support Kathy Riley:

• Answering 900 Voices: A national nonprofit organization responds to a nationwide community health needs assessment that elucidated key challenges faced by pediatric brain tumor families: An oral presentation that explores the results of PBTF’s Community Health Needs Assessment and the foundation’s response to those findings.
• Listening before we speak: a patient-centered approach to developing resources for pediatric brain tumor survivors and their families: A poster presentation that details the development of PBTF’s Survivorship Resource Guidebook in collaboration with medical professionals, parents and survivors.

“A child’s brain tumor diagnosis has a profound and lasting impact on every member of the family. Equipping patient families with resources that are informed by — and designed for — their unique needs is fundamental to helping children, survivors and their family members thrive,” says Riley. “We are honored by the invitation to share PBTF’s expertise and families’ voices with the international community, as we help lead the way in transforming how children and families are cared for around the world.”

Learn more about PBTF’s commitment to global collaboration in the scientific and healthcare communities through conferences and symposiums like ISPNO here. If you or a family you know is in need of support following a child’s brain tumor diagnosis, contact us today at [email protected].

About the Pediatric Brain Tumor FoundationEvery day, 13 children and teens are diagnosed with a brain tumor, the deadliest form of childhood cancer. Every day after, they are in a fight for their life. It is a fight the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is here to help families win. A leader in the brain tumor and childhood cancer communities, PBTF’s mission of Care. Cure. Thrive. reflects its commitment to curing all pediatric brain tumors and transforming how children and their families are cared for. Since 1991, PBTF has provided strategic leadership and funding to accelerate the number of targeted therapies for children battling brain tumors today, while equipping families with the educational resources, financial relief and emotional support they need to navigate their child’s journey. A world without childhood brain tumors is possible when we stand together to effect real, meaningful change. Learn more at www.curethekids.org.