Page 5 - Impact Report August 2022_Neat

SPEAKING OF
Prevention IS EVEN BETTER THAN A CURE Prevention

These were the words that convinced us to fund the three-year $500K In last year’s Impact Report, we shared
research grant proposal of Dr. Michael Taylor back in 2019. Our Michael’s ideas for preventing childhood cancer.
tissue went to Dr. Taylor’s lab in Toronto and knowing Michael’s tissue Although it is not our primary focus, we
could be used in this study cinched our decision. Michael’s tissue might continue to learn more and promote
help prevent these tumors from returning and metastasizing in prevention as the best cure. We are working
other children. Currently, there are no treatments available if a with Jonathan Agin, of the Childhood
medulloblastoma brain tumor comes back and metastasizes. Cancer Prevention Initiative in these efforts.
Jonathan lost his daughter to the same
abl
inoper
abl
ain tumor that
ain tumor that
e br
e br
inoper
ch hypothesis is: the r
eating medull
adiation used in tr
esear
oma
t
oblas
The research hypothesis is: the radiation used in treating medulloblastoma inoperable brain tumor that
The r
The research hypothesis is: the radiation used in treating medulloblastoma
t his
Neil Arms
Neil Arms
t his
tr
ong l
ong l
tr
os
os
in f act PROMO TES met as t atic dis semination of the disease due t o Neil Armstrong lost his
in fact PROMOTES metastatic dissemination of the disease due to
in fact PROMOTES metastatic dissemination of the disease due to
daughter to in 1963.
inflammation. Because of the brain swelling, tumor cells disperse daught er t o in 1963.
tumor c
se
ells disper
tumor cells disperse
and hide from the therapy, only to return once the brain stops In rallying attention
swelling. Giving anti-inflammatories prior to radiation may to prevention,
prevent this, keeping tumor cells from hiding from the therapy. Jonathan explains:
Same principle as when some of us take Advil to prevent muscle “With so much focus
inflammation and pain before we exert ourselves. on the traditional
on the traditional
pathway of treatment and
pathway of treatment and
pathway of tr eatment and
tudy that aims t
ent medull
o
v
o pr
e
s r
s research is the first study that aims to prevent medullo
Dr. Taylor’s research is the first study that aims to prevent medullo
esear
t s
s
ch is the fir
“cure,” little to no energy or
“cure
cure,”
morbidity and could therefore give birth to a whole new area of research.
morbidity and could therefore give birth to a whole new area of research.
morbidity and c ould ther ef or e giv e birth t o a whol e ne w ar ea of r esear ch. resources are provided for prevention.
c
es ar
vided f
or pr
e pr
o
ention.
e
v
r
esour
resources are provided for prevention.
In addition, Dr. Taylor made the expensive, time-consuming mouse Prevention represents the same frontier
models developed in this study available to researchers around the as the moon did for Neil Armstrong
world. Fitting with Swifty’s desire to promote collaboration. so many years ago. Prevention is an
The results are in and sure enough, the study demonstrated that untapped surface for researchers and
inflammation from radiation does disseminate the tumor cells, causing clinicians alike. This is the reason for the
disease spread. (So, the treatment used to successfully kill the primary Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative. ”
tumor caused secondary tumor growth). The use of anti- We are grateful Jonathan is speaking up
inflammatories PRIOR to radiation reduced about prevention. We want to rally as many
the incidence of metastasis in this people as possible around preventing
initial study, which is very hopeful. childhood (and all) cancers. Way better to
This research will be published get ahead of this monster than to fight it
in a scientific journal after it shows up at your door. Lots more
opening a new path info at www.swiftyfoundation.org/category/
of scientific prevention/.
inquiry.
SWIFTY SPOTLIGHT: Melissa Williams
I’ve been the Gift from a Child Tissue Navigator at Lurie Children’s Hospital for almost four years.
When I look back, I’m amazed at what we’ve accomplished in this time. Our relationships with
outside neuro-oncologists, their hospitals and associated partners have made it possible to offer
more families the opportunity to donate tissue after death. This relationship-building involves
educating others about the need for post-mortem tissue and how to approach families about this
sensitive subject. It involves many departments at the institution including nurses to gather records,
pathologists to do the autopsy and hospice nurses and social workers who care for children dying at home.
pathologists to do the autopsy and hospice nurses and social workers who care for children dying at home.
We build relationships outside of hospitals, including pathology groups who do autopsies off-site and funeral homes who help
with transportation and use of their facilities. Without all these caring people these donations would not be possible. Our goal
is to make everything smooth and seamless so families can be left to grieve their child. We need every family to be offered this
chance of accelerating scientific discoveries through donation if we are going to find cures for cancers that end childrens’ lives
too soon. #wewontquit
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