PBTF Recognizes Outstanding Hospital Care Team Members with Inaugural Constellation Award for Childhood Cancer

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, the leading champion for children with brain tumors and their families, is pleased to announce the first recipients of the Constellation Award for Childhood Cancer, which recognizes the exemplary dedication and compassion of hospital care team members who play a vital role in supporting pediatric brain tumor patients, survivors, and their families.

When a child is diagnosed with a brain tumor, the hospital care team becomes a lifeline for families, providing expert medical care, emotional support, encouragement, and a sense of community during a challenging and isolating time. The Constellation Award for Childhood Cancer shines a spotlight on these extraordinary individuals who go above and beyond to make a lasting impact in the lives of those they serve.

The honorees of the Constellation Award for Childhood Cancer are:

1. Rebekah Doshi, CCLS II, Certified Child Life Specialist, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (Cincinnati, Ohio)
2. Kara Kachurak, NP, PNP Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Research Nurse Coordinator, Children’s of Alabama (Birmingham, Alabama)
3. Dr. Tyler Severance, Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, University of Missouri Health Care, Children’s Hospital (Columbia, Missouri)

These exceptional honorees were nominated by the families they have touched, who shared stories of their kindness and commitment. A team of reviewers consisting of patient family and healthcare partners from the pediatric brain tumor community selected the three honorees after reviewing all nominations with identifying information removed.

The Constellation Award for Childhood Cancer not only acknowledges care team members’ outstanding work, it also provides an opportunity for families to express their gratitude. Below are selections from families’ nominations of the inaugural honorees:

“More than anyone, Bekah has been present during our journey. She was a constant during a massive time of chaos for our family, always bringing crafts, iPads for distraction, holding hands during anaphylaxis, and crying with us in our times of fear or celebration. Bekah was so much more than a Child Life Specialist. She became family. Because of Bekah, our daughter Cassidy realized the impact of giving during chemo. She began raising money for other kids and would come to Cincinnati Children’s for every chemo with bags of crafts, stuffed animals, and other gifts to give other kids with cancer. It gave my daughter something to look forward to, rather than feeling anxious before every infusion. So many people on her team deserve this award – but in my eyes, Bekah probably most of all.” – Patient mom’s nomination of Rebekah Doshi, CCLS

“Kara is an unsung hero in the neuro-oncology department. She was a quiet warrior for our daughter Kelsie throughout her battle with glioblastoma. She was relentless in her fight for helping Kelsie survive. Kara was our anchor in the storm of cancer. She was calm and steady. Those attributes always gave us reassurance and peace.  She is a person of great integrity. She is reliable, steadfast, and sure. She is unwavering in her devotion and commitment to the patients she serves.” – Patient mom’s nomination of Kara Kachurak, NP

“Consistently, Dr. Severance has been kind and patient with us. He has gone above and beyond in offering advice and perspective, no matter how long it takes, and discusses the latest research with us to help us make informed decisions.  Our son struggled with the treatment protocol, and Dr. Severance provided very careful and thoughtful perspectives, coupled with knowledge of the academic work and lots of patience, to help us make informed decisions. Most importantly, he sees our son as a person! He delights in seeing all of his improvements, checks in on us constantly, and brought in a dog to help elicit a response.” – Patient dad’s nomination of Dr. Tyler Severance

Each honoree will receive a commemorative award designed to reflect the constellation of support they provide families, guiding them on their cancer journeys. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation invites the community to join us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn in celebrating the honorees and all hospital care team members who make a difference in the lives of those impacted by childhood brain cancer.

To learn more about the resources the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation offers patient families and the care teams who serve them, visit our Support for Families resource center or email [email protected].

About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Since 1991, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation has led the way in funding research into pediatric brain tumors, supporting families affected by this disease, and advocating for policies that help patients, survivors, and their loved ones. Dedicated wholly to addressing this rare disease and guided by the experiences of patients, survivors, their parents, and siblings, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is the only organization to meet families’ needs along every step of their cancer journey.

The largest patient advocacy funder of pediatric brain tumor research, the foundation also funds and advocates for innovative projects that lead to vital discoveries, new clinical trials, and better treatments – all bringing us closer to a cure. We’re able to do that because of people and partners committed to supporting families and ending childhood brain cancer. Learn more at curethekids.org.