Do you have a question? Chances are we've heard it before. We've listed below the answers to the questions we're asked most often. If you have a question and you can't find the answer on this Web site, please contact us and we'll make every effort to help you.

Our child has just been diagnosed with a form of cancer. What questions should we be asking the doctor/hospital ?

• What type of cancer does my child have?
• What is the stage of the disease?
• What does this stage mean?
• What are the treatment choices at this point?
• What treatment(s) do you recommend and why?
• How long will the treatment last?
• What are the chances that this treatment will be successful?
• How will we know if it is successful?
• What are the both the short-term and long-term risks of this treatment?
• What side effects will our child experience as treatment is taking place?
• Are any longer term side effects anticipated from this treatment?
• What role should or could we play in our child's treatment?
• Since we need to be with our child during treatment, can the hospital/treatment centre help us find accommodation? (as appropriate and required)
• How can we help our child prepare for this treatment?
• What's the very best way we could support our child through the treatment?

Bring a pad and paper with you during the meeting. Take notes. Take a small recorder with you and ask if you can record the meeting.

How are childhood cancers different from adult cancers?

Adults are most affected by breast, lung, prostate, bowel and bladder cancers. Children are most affected by acute leukemias, tumours of the brain and nervous system, the lymphatic system, kidneys, bones and muscles.

The causes of adult cancers are often related to lifestyle factors such as exposure to the environment, diet, alcohol intake and smoking. The causes of children's cancers are in most cases unknown.

While many of the same interventions such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are used to used to treat children's cancers, children are more apt to suffer significant after effects such as cognitive dysfunction, cataracts and organ failure as a result of the harsh impact of the treatment on their young and developing bodies.

One grateful difference between children's and adult cancers is that children have an overall cure rate in the area of 73%, while the cure rate for adult cancers hovers in the 50% range.

Childhood Cancers are Unique

The types of cancers that occur in children vary greatly from those seen in adults. They tend to occur in different parts of the body, they look different under the microscope and they respond differently to treatment. Cure rates for children are much higher than for most adult cancers and more than 70% of all children can now be completely cured.

Leukemias, brain and other nervous system tumours, lymphomas (lymph node cancers), bone cancers, soft tissue sarcomas, kidney cancers, eye cancers, and adrenal gland cancers are the most common cancers of children, while skin, prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers are the most common in adults.

The stage of growth and development is another important difference between adults and children; the immaturity of children's organ systems often has important treatment implications.

The causes of childhood cancers are, in most cases unknown. Known causes of adult cancers include environmental, occupational and lifestyle factors, such as diet, alcohol and smoking.

Quick Facts about St. Jude

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, maintains 60 inpatient beds and treats about 260 patients each day, about 5,100 in active status, most of whom are treated on an outpatient basis.
  
• It is the first institution established for the sole purpose of conducting basic and clinical research into catastrophic childhood diseases, mainly cancer. St. Jude is the largest childhood cancer research center in the world in terms of the number of patients enrolled in research protocols and successfully treated.
  
• St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and from around the world.
  
• Research findings at St. Jude are shared with doctors and scientists all over the world. St. Jude also enjoys a worldwide reputation as a teaching facility. The medical and scientific staff published more than 500 articles in academic journals in 2006. 
  
• St. Jude is the only pediatric research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay.
  
• St. Jude continues an extensive expansion program to bolster the hospital’s research and treatment efforts, while more than doubling the size of its original campus. The expansion includes the GMP building, the nation’s only pediatric research center on-site facility for production of highly specialized treatments and vaccines, and an expanded Department of Immunology. The new Chili's Care Center integrates patient care and research where rapidly evolving CT (computerized tomography) and MR (magnetic resonance) technology will keep St. Jude at the cutting edge for radiation therapy in a pediatric/adolescent setting.
  
• The hospital's daily operating costs are approximately $1,267,349, which are primarily covered by public contributions.
  
• More than 85 cents of every dollar received by ALSAC/St. Jude has gone to the current or future needs of St. Jude.
  
• St. Jude pioneered a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and, when necessary, surgery to treat childhood cancers. The hospital continues to expand the use of stem cell transplantation as treatment for pediatric cancers and genetic diseases.
  
• Peter C. Doherty, PhD, of the St. Jude Immunology department, won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1996. He shares the award with Rolf M. Zinkernagel, MD, of the University of Zurich. Their findings have led to breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of viral infections and cancers, and in the development of organ transplant procedures and vaccines.
  
• Since its inception, St. Jude has developed protocols that have brought survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent to about 70 percent overall. The current survival rates for selected childhood cancers now include:

• Each St. Jude patient must be referred by a physician, have a disease currently under study at the hospital, and be eligible for a current research protocol. 
  
• St. Jude researchers and doctors are treating children with genetic immune defects and pediatric AIDS, as well as using new drugs and therapies to fight infections.
  
• St. Jude is a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza Viruses in Animals and Birds.
  
• St. Jude, in partnership with the University of Tennessee Cancer Institute, is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a not-for-profit alliance of 20 of the world’s leading cancer centers, which is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer.
  
• St. Jude operates a stem cell transplant program that enables doctors to perform approximately 185 transplants per year.
  
• St. Jude was the first facility outside the National Institutes of Health to receive federal approval for research involving human gene therapy. 
  
• The St. Jude faculty includes three National Academy of Sciences members: Peter C. Doherty, PhD, of Immunology; Charles Sherr, MD, PhD, of Tumor Cell Biology; and Robert Webster, PhD, of Infectious Diseases. Sherr, James Ihle, PhD, of Biochemistry, and Brenda Schulman, PhD, Structural Biology, hold the coveted title of Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators.
  
• Since 1998, former St. Jude Director Arthur Nienhuis, MD, has served on the National Cancer Advisory Board. Nienhuis was appointed by the President of the United States to the board, which provides advice to the President, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the director of the National Cancer Institute.  
  

 St. Jude's Hospital --Phase I and II Clinical Trials FAQS

After completing a study, can my child continue treatment at St. Jude?

Policy on continued treatment at St. Jude after study completion.

Can my child return home between courses of therapy?

Policy on returning home between courses of therapy.

How do I initiate a referral from my child's physician?

There are several ways to initiate a referral.

How long will my child need to stay at St. Jude?

This depends upon the "protocol" or treatment plan ...

What assistance is available for daily living expenses?

Assistance with housing, meals and transportation.

Why should I consider enrolling my child in a clinical trial at St. Jude?

St. Jude has a long history of developing innovative therapies.

Will I have to pay for any treatment, tests or supportive care?

Payment for treatment, tests or supportive care.

Will all of my child's therapy need to be given at St. Jude?

We realize that the most comfortable place for children is in their own home ...

Will my child require additional tests at St. Jude to determine if he / she is eligible for one of these trials?

Lab tests will be performed at St. Jude to confirm eligibility.

Will my child's local physician still be involved in his/her care?

Will my child's local physician still be involved in his/her care?

Will my child's treatment be inpatient or outpatient?

Most therapy can be administered on an outpatient basis.

Donate Now

Help save children like Jacob. There are many ways to support the lifesaving work at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Your donation makes a real difference. During the past three years, 85 percent of every dollar received by ALSAC/St. Jude has gone to the current or future needs of St. Jude.

Monthly Gift Join our monthly giving program and become a Partner In Hope®. Just $19/month makes a considerable difference and saves lives.	Single Gift Make a single gift donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A gift of $50, $100, or $500 can help save kids like Jacob.
Memorial Gift Arrange for a gift to be made in memory of a loved one to benefit St. Jude. Notify options include e-card, print card, or mail card.	Honor Gift Honor accomplishments or celebrate special events and holidays with a gift to St Jude. Notify options include e-card, print card or mail card.
Matching Gift Find out if you can double or triple your donation through  our Matching Gifts program.	Gift Planning Donate to a named fund or learn how to make a tax-saving gift through your will, trust or other estate plans.

 

Cure Search Introduction

Provides information on Childhood Cancer and make people more aware of the fact that it is one of the least funded cancers in the world. These kids are our future!! We need them! Cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease in children \, cutting short the lives of more children under the age of 20 than any other disease. 1 child out 5 who is diagnosed with cancer dies! 3 out of 5 children suffer from long-term side effects. Every schoold day 46 young people, or two classrooms of students, are diagnosed with cancer in this country.More than 12,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year and 40,000 and adolescents are currently being treated for childhood cancer. The average age of a child being diagnosed with cancer is six years old; saving the life of a child with cancer gives our children a future; approximately,66 years of life's milestones and dreams to celebrate!!

CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising private funds for childhood cancer research for the Children's Oncology Group, the world's largest cooperative cancer research organization. Together, we are committed to conquering childhood cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care.

CureSearch Children's Oncology Group is a network of more than 5,000 physicians, nurses, and scientists whose collaboration, research and care have turned childhood cancer from a virtually incurable disease to one with an overall 78% cure rate.

The People of CureSearch...
With a Mission to Cure Childhood Cancer

CureSearch depends upon the strengths and talents of all the people who support it. CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF) and the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) have dedicated donors, volunteers, medical advisors and staff who share a commitment to finding cures for childhood cancer in our lifetime.

Executive Leadership

The executive leadership of CureSearch is provided by Gregory H. Reaman, M.D, Executive Director, Scientific & Medical Affairs, Chair of COG, Joseph F. Woelkers, Executive Director, NCCF Operations and Stacy Pagos Haller, Executive Director, NCCF, CureSearch Development.  The Children's Oncology Group and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF) are united in the single goal to reach the day when every child can be guaranteed a cure.

CureSearch Staff

The CureSearch staff is comprised of dedicated individuals who are committed to the cause of reaching the day when every child is guaranteed a cure for childhood cancer.  Meet the management staff.

Trustees provide experienced leadership

The distinguished members of the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Board of Trustees provide visionary leadership for the organization. They give willingly of their wisdom, governance, commitment and financial support. Their personal involvement with childhood cancer -– as well as their expertise in business and other professional areas -- provides CureSearch with caring and talented leadership.

CureSearch.org Medical Editorial Board

The CureSearch.org Medical Editorial Board is made up of pediatric oncology physicians and nurses who bring extensive experience and a wide range of interests and talents to provide comprehensive, accurate information to parents and families.

You can donate online at Curesearch.org or.... 

Additional ways to support childhood cancer research through donations

Workplace Giving

Please help in the fight to cure childhood cancer. If your employer offers a payroll deduction program benefiting charities, you can select CureSearch as your charity of choice. As each campaign is different, please review the below information to make sure your donation is designated accurately.

Workplace Giving Campaign information 

Information about Matching Gifts 

Make a Bequest

A bequest is a great way to make a significant and lasting gift to CureSearch without putting a strain on your current income. In addition, it will provide your estate with a charitable tax deduction and may result in a lower tax bracket for your estate. A bequest can ensure that assets you have worked hard to accumulate over the years will be used to support things you care about long after your lifetime.

Bequest information 

Give a Gift of Stock 

A gift of stock is another way to support CureSearch and gain a tax benefit.  If your investments have increased in value since you acquired them, a gift can result in a charitable gift tax deduction of  the appreciated value, and the reduction or elimination of capital gains tax.

Stock donation information   

Donate Your Vehicle

Donate your used car, truck, RV, trailer, or boat to CureSearch and it will be picked up free of charge!  It's easy, convenient, and you'll be eligible for a tax deduction as well. Almost all vehicles are accepted. Donating a vehicle is much easier than selling it yourself. Best of all, your donation will support CureSearch’s work to cure childhood cancer.

Donate your vehicle   

CureSearch is exempt from U.S. Federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and your donation is tax deductible to the extent provided by law.