Who We Are
The Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium is a group of 50+ hospitals that offer a worldwide network of childhood cancer clinical trials and collaboration.
Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium has a proven track record of managing multi-site clinical trials from start to finish. We have successfully opened 24+ Phase I and II trials for pediatric cancer patients including four Feasibility trials using Molecular Guided Therapy in children with relapsed/refractory solid tumors. This gives children access to the most innovative therapies.
Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium has successfully managed four FDA approved IND applications, two FDA approved IDE applications, as well as multiple FDA approved EIND applications. We have obtained Orphan Disease Designation as well as Breakthrough Therapy Designation for diuoromethylornithine (DFMO), a drug designed to prevent relapse in high-risk neuroblastoma. We worked diligently with our pharmaceutical partners to submit a New Drug Application for DFMO and received FDA approval in December 2023! This was a HUGE effort and we are so proud the DFMO, now Iwilfin, is available for patients across the United States.
Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium researchers take both a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach AND an individualized approach to childhood cancer care. (1) Our BCC physicians, research coordinators, pharmacists, and nursing teammates take a collaborative approach to care, ensuring we understand each patient’s medical history and unique needs. This makes treatment as safe and effective as possible. (2) Our research consortium is at the forefront of precision medicine, developing treatments based on our patients’ specific genetic or molecular profiles, including a personalized immunotherapy approach.
We have many exciting new trials and collaborations in 2023-2024 that will continue to move us closer to our goal of beating childhood cancer.
Executive Committee
| Giselle Sholler, MD | Chair and Founder, Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium |
| Patrick Lacey | Executive Advisor | Founder, Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation |
| William Ferguson, MD | Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center |
| Jaqueline Kraveka, DO | Medical University of South Carolina |
| Genevieve Bergendahl, PNP, MSN, CCRP | Clinical Program Director, Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium |
Scientific Committee
| Giselle Sholler, MD | BCC Research Consortium, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital |
| William Ferguson, MD | Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine |
| Don Eslin, MD | Pediatric Hematology Oncology at St Joseph’s Children’s |
| Jaqueline Kraveka, DO | Medical University of South Carolina |
| Valerie Brown, MD, PhD | Penn State Health Children’s Hospital |
| William Roberts, MD | University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego |
| Peter Zage, MD, PhD | University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego |
| Genevieve Bergendahl, MSN, PNP, CCRC | BCC Research Consortium, Penn State College of Medicine |
| Randal Wada, MD | University of Hawaii, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children |
| Deanna Mitchell, MD | Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital |
| Derek Hanson, MD | Hackensack University Medical Center |
| Anu Agrawal, MD | UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital |
| Jawhar Rawwas, MD | Children’s Hospital of Minnesota |
| Virginia Harrod, MD | Dell Children’s Hospital |
| Kevin Bielamowicz, MD | Arkansas Children’s Hospital |
| Kevin Ginn, MD | Children’s Mercy Hospital |
| Lars Wagner, MD | Duke University |
| Michael Angelo Huang, MD | Norton Children’s Hospital |
| Michael Isakoff, MD | Connecticut Children’s Medical Center |
| Stacey Zahler, DO | Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital |
| Thomas Russell, MD | Levine Children’s Hospital |
| Nathan Schloemer MD | Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI |
| Ashok Raj MD | Norton Children’s, Louisville, KY |
