Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Translational Student Researcher’s Perspective

I started working as an undergraduate student researcher at Cincinnati Children’s Brain Tumor Center before my first year.

Due to the large learning curve associated with this field, I didn’t gain the independence to work on my own project until a year later. This project would play a critical role in the brain tumor department by investigating the efficacy of a novel therapy in potentially hindering tumor growth. While designing the intricacies of my project, I became aware of the paradox associated with brain tumors.

Mortality rates in children suffering from the incurable DIPGs or GBMs are over 90% with a median survival age of only 1 year after diagnosis. Yet, it’s so difficult to find grant funding to support these investigations. Without a communal investment in pediatric brain tumor research, parents will continue to be left vulnerable and hopeless.

Please support this cause by investing in these families’ happiness and future, whether that be donating or actively advocating for more funding towards research!

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Opinions expressed within this story belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views or opinions of the National Brain Tumor Society.