Academic-driven international research conferences serve as crucial opportunities for the childhood brain tumor community to share research, build relationships, and spur innovation that fuels further collaboration and exploration. The discoveries shared at these symposiums help governments, health care professionals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in developing policies, services, and treatments to improve patient outcomes.

PBTF’s mission of Care. Cure. Thrive. drives us to support and participate in forums like the Society for Neuro-Oncology‘s annual meeting so that we can shine a light on the unique needs of children, teens, and young adults diagnosed with a brain tumor. PBTF is honored to expand the focus on pediatric neuro-oncology through two poster presentations at this year’s meeting, which takes place Nov. 18-21 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston:

• Amy Weinstein, PBTF’s National Director of Research and Advocacy and Board Chair for the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2) will present “Trends in International Investment in Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult (CYA) Brain Tumor Research 2006-2018.” In a collaborative effort with CAC2 and the International Research Partnership (ICRP) Database, this poster presents an analysis of funding trends for pediatric cancer research projects across the globe between 2006 – 2018. Findings suggest that the funding for all brain tumor projects has increased significantly across basic science, treatment, and survivorship. For aggressive and deadly tumors like DIPG, the increases are particularly encouraging, though additional resources are still needed.
• Kathy Riley, PBTF’s Vice President of Family Support, describes the organization’s Peer to Peer Mentoring intervention in a poster featured in the Quality of Life section of the SNO meeting. The poster is titled “Combating Emotional Distress and Social Isolation in Pediatric Brain Tumor Families: A Case Study of a National Nonprofit’s Implementation of a Peer Intervention to Improve Quality of Life.” It defines the interpersonal and emotional support issues families face, describes the peer intervention’s goals and objectives, and reports on insights gained and outcomes achieved. Riley’s presentation will demonstrate how developing a structured peer mentoring program provides vital emotional support and helps family members connect with others experiencing similar challenges.

“We believe an interdisciplinary approach that’s focused on supporting families while strategically funding research to unlock new treatments is the only way pediatric patients, families and survivors will truly thrive,” says Courtney Davies, PBTF president and CEO. “The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is excited to help expand the neuro-oncology community’s focus on curing and caring for children with brain tumors by sharing what our team has learned at SNO’s annual gathering.”

Learn more about PBTF’s research strategy at www.curethekids.org/research. If you or a family you know need support following a child’s brain tumor diagnosis, our team is here for you. Call or email us at 800-253-6530, x306 and [email protected].

About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Every day, 13 children and teens are diagnosed with a brain tumor, the deadliest and most common form of cancer in kids under 15. Every day after, they are in a fight for their life. It’s 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 patient-family education, financial relief, and emotional support they need to navigate their child’s journey. A world without childhood brain tumors is possible when we work together to put kids first. Learn more at www.curethekids.org.