Q&A: Finding novel therapies for childhood cancer
Since the first time she treated a child with neuroblastoma, Giselle Saulnier Sholler wanted to do the impossible for her patients. Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children with[...]
FDA approves pediatric neuroblastoma drug based on Penn State professor’s work
Giselle Saulnier Sholler, professor of pediatrics and of pharmacology, reflects on 20 years working to change cancer outcomes for children HERSHEY, Pa. — In 2003, the first year of her[...]
US WorldMeds Announces FDA Approval of IWILFIN™ (eflornithine) to Strengthen Fight Against Aggressive Childhood Cancer
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--USWM, LLC (US WorldMeds) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved IWILFIN™ (eflornithine) 192 mg tablets, a groundbreaking oral maintenance therapy for high-risk[...]
Penn State Health recruits leading researcher to fight pediatric cancer
Cris Collingwood//August 2, 2023 An internationally known physician-scientist and her research consortium have joined Penn State Health to continue efforts to eradicate pediatric cancer. Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine[...]
The Power of Will
Will Lacey was just a baby when doctors diagnosed a rare form of cancer and told his family there was only one end. Nobody then could imagine the journey ahead,[...]
Michigan Child Trials Target Genetic Roots of Cancers
Thank you Detroit News for featuring a story about the work we are doing. It wouldn’t be possible without the support of Dell, TGen Foundation and our generous community. Together,[...]
$1,100,000 for Beat Childhood Cancer Research!
On December 24, 2014 the Grand Rapids community surpassed the Million Dollar Challenge by raising $1,100,000 for NMTRC research! This donation was then matched by a generous Beat NB donor[...]
Endowment Gift Establishes Haworth Family Pediatric Oncology Innovative Therapeutics Clinic at Helen Devos Children’s Hospital
Children fighting cancer have new hope thanks to an endowment gift from Dick and Ethie Haworth to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation. Their major gift establishes the Haworth Family[...]
Research: Beat Childhood Cancer
The Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium is a group of 54+ universities and children's hospitals
"Lucas is from Peru, South America. One of the most special things about our country is that we have very diverse geographies and climates, that go from wonderful coasts that collide with the Pacific Ocean, to the high Andes mountain ridge, to our lush Amazon tropical forests. Because of this our biodiversity is breathtaking. We have over 4,000 different species of butterflies in our country, and many other animal and plant species as well."
"Lucas is an amazing, strong, funny boy that has been battling Neuroblastoma for nearly 6 years now. Despite his difficult journey, he never ceases to see the wonders of the world, he always shares his smile with everyone and enjoys life fully. He is a happy soul that lights up the room everywhere he goes. He is truly a life master and we learn from him every day."
"Bangladesh is located in the north-eastern part of South Asia. The majestic Himalayas stand some distance to the north, while the Bay of Bengal lies in the south. It includes many archaeological sites, historical places and monuments, the longest natural beach in the world, a picturesque landscape, hill forests and wildlife, rolling tea gardens, and tribes. The rich flora and fauna and colorful tribal life are very enchanting. Apart from that we are fighting poverty, education, health security and natural disaster. But still, we are happy & love our country."
"My son Rashid is such an amazing boy who loves playing with his friends, loves to draw, and going to school. He wants to go to school even on holidays. He has been fighting high-risk neuroblastoma since 2022. The first six months his medicine was nonresponsive. While doctors have asked us to consider palliative care, we refuse to give up. We started crowdfunding and brought immunotherapy drugs. My child is the first patient to receive chemo-immunotherapy protocol in India.
After a long time, Rashid started to recover, and he is sound now. He is getting DFMO from Penn State Health Children's Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Giselle Sholler. Now we are good, but once we had a hard time. We constantly thought we would never get our son back. We used to take many pictures and videos of Rashid. Everything we wanted to hold in our memory. But God is great and he has a good plan. My son is my pride. Now we have another daughter. She came into the world on January 8, 2024 and January 9th we got the PET CT report that Rashid has no evidence of disease. After 21 long months of fighting, we slept peacefully."
Collaboration is at the heart of beating childhood cancer. Dr. Sholler attended the International Congress of Pediatric Oncology held GRAACC in San Paulo, Brazil building relationships to help every child everywhere!!
‘I wanted to change the outcomes’: Sholler’s career leads to neuroblastoma breakthrough
‘I wanted to change the outcomes’: Sholler’s career leads to neuroblastoma breakthrough
bit.ly
For two decades, Dr. Giselle Saulnier Sholler has made saving the lives of children faced with an aggressive cancer called neuroblastoma her life’s mission.
Our next patient highlight for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is someone dear to our hearts, Yara from Brazil.
When asked what makes Brazil special, Yara and her family said that "Brazil is home to the world's largest rainforest, the Amazon, which is a treasure trove of biodiversity with countless unique species of plants and animals. Brazilian hospitality is also world-famous." Brazilians are known for being warm, welcoming, and always willing to help.
Yara's mother also said "My daughter is super determined and has an incredible strength that inspires many people. In September of 2020, she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Yara is only 7 years old, but she has been through so much and is still going strong. During treatment, she always asks me, “Mom, when I get better, can we go to Disney?"
"Yara said that when she grows up, she will take care of animals, feed tigers, and swim with sharks. She dreams about these things and uses them to motivate herself. Every time she dreams, she takes that power from the dream and makes it happen. She turns that power into action and it’s beautiful to see. She’s been fighting cancer for four years, but she never loses hope and always believes she can win. She inspires our 22,000 Instagram followers with her courage and determination."
Meet Archie from England, our first international patient spotlight for September. We’re sharing his story to raise awareness about childhood cancer and the crucial role of research in finding cures. Learn more about Archie’s home country and how this inspiring young boy motivates us to continue advancing research.
"The thing we love about England is it's ability to care. I can't tell you about other countries, but since the day Archie was diagnosed we have had nothing but love and I mean from everyone. We had to raise a crazy amount of money, so we put out a couple posts and did some events, but it wasn't really these things that touched us. What touched us was the lady that runs our local chippy handing us a bag containing £2000 in change or the old man who knocked on every door in our area to collect money for a child he had never met or the mum from Archie's school who stood out in the rain selling Christmas paper or the man who paid for our gas when we didn't have money. The last couple of years have been absolutely hell not just for Archie but his entire family. But it seems that every time you felt like you could not go on, some complete stranger would pick us up, dust us off and remind us a new dawn is absolutely coming."
"Archie was born in February. February in the UK is cold, dark and wet, without exception. Apart from the day Archie was born. It was hot and sunny, so we always say that this boy brings the sunshine. He is always smiling. Archie is the bravest person I have ever met and he went through so much pain and sickness, but was always smiling. People say that we got him through his treatment but the truth is he got us through his treatment. He is like all the children fighting this disease... an absolute hero. And we love him."
