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The Freddie Fund supports research for pediatric cancer, focusing on high risk neuroblastoma. The goal of the fund is to create new treatments to improve the standard of care and outcomes for kids.
Neuroblastoma is typically a tumor that grows in the abdomen and occurs in kids under the age of 5. Freddie was no different and diagnosed at 18 months before he could walk or speak about what was wrong. The cancer requires a considerable amount of testing to identify it and then treatment begins. Current 'standard' treatment is 5-7 rounds of chemotherapy, 2 stem cell transplants, surgeries once/if there is progress on reducing the tumor size, liquid & proton radiation followed by 6 months of immunotherapy or preventative treatment to keep the cancer from coming back. All in treatment takes 18 months - 2 years and if you are in the 50% lucky enough to make it out then you are met with the therapies to help offset much of the damage done from treatment. For Freddie, he lost hearing and will be unable to have his own kids, but he's alive and enjoying life as a normal 4 yr old. He attends school every day, dressed up as Lightning McQueen for Halloween and asks for pizza for dinner at least 4x week. It's awesome to have him be with us.
In short, we want kids to be able to have a better shot at surviving, and a better suite of treatment to minimize damage done during treatment for higher quality lives.
Funds raised are used to develop clinical trials and improve standard of care under the direction of Dana Farber/Boston Children's Hospital doctors and investigators. Lead doctors are Dr. Suzanne Shusterman and Dr. Susanne Baumeister. Lead investigator in the laboratory is Dr Roberto Chiarle.
Thank you for generosity and consideration to donate.
Dana-Farber provides expert, compassionate care to children and adults and is home to groundbreaking cancer discoveries. Since its founding in 1948, the Jimmy Fund has raised millions of dollars through thousands of community efforts to advance Dana-Farber’s mission.