|
Preventing Relapse in Children with Cancer
Children's Cancer Service
Our Mission for this Decade
In a perfect world no one gets cancer, especially children.
However, for over 8,000 children and their families each year, the world is far from perfect.
Their lives and the lives of those around them will never be the same.
Childhood experiences of crawling, talking and walking are replaced
with blood transfusions, infections and frequent hospitalizations. The normal stress of
running between soccer, softball and music lessons now include regular trips to the physicians
for blood tests, x-rays and chemotherapy treatments.
The normal routine of sorting household trash now
means separating the medical waste and needles on trash day. Due to the all
consuming crisis of a young life in jeopardy relationships become strained,
careers are threatened and some friendships dissolve. During this trying
time neither the parents nor the children give up hope.
Preventing Relapse in Children with Cancer
The Children's Cancer Fund raising efforts
have led to the establishment of a research lab headed by an experienced research biologist.
The lab does research to help prevent relapse in children with cancer and we have had very
positive results. In the Summer of 1996, We also opened the Children's Cancer Treatment
Center to provide children with a cheerful and friendly place while they
are undergoing chemotherapy. Now these children don't have to check into the
hospital to get their treatments.
1996 has also brought about our commitment to participate in research
for Neuroblastoma, a form of pediatric cancer. We have also hired a resident social
worker to assist with the patients and their families during this difficult time.
Finally our support continues with the delivery of new patient services. This network
of support of our members continues to provide the emotional strength required for
new families that must deal with the trauma of childhood cancer. The Children's Cancer
Fund of New York Medical College led by Dr. S. Jayabose, Chief of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
at New York Medical College, continues to raise monies to support this effort.
Through all of these experiences the caring staff of New York Medical
College at Westchester Medical Center are there. A team of dedicated physicians,
nurses, social workers, psychiatrists and recreational therapists work closely
together to lessen the shock of diagnosis and the fear of therapy. With our help
families are able to face the present with courage and the future with hope.
The Children's Cancer Services at New York Medical College at
Westchester Medical Center have been providing comprehensive and compassionate care
for children with cancer in the Hudson Valley area for over 17 years. Our results in
the treatment of childhood cancer are consistent with major cancer centers and children's
hospitals. We participate in clinical trials in the treatment of childhood cancer
through the Children's Cancer Group - a national network of children's cancer services.
We have established a bone marrow transplant unit in conjunction with the Westchester Medical
Center.
Thanks to the great advances made in the treatment of childhood
cancer over the past two decades, we are now able to cure about 80% of children
with cancer. For some forms of childhood cancer such as certain types of leukemia,
the cure rate is excellent, whereas children with certain other types of cancer
still have a relatively poor prognosis.
To cure all children with cancer we must
understand why some malignancies do not respond to chemotherapy as well as others
do, and we must learn how to overcome drug resistance shown by cancer cells. We
need to develop sensitive methods to detect early signs of relapse and, in addition,
design more effective treatment for some types of cancers. We must also learn to
cure certain types of infections which can cause serious illness in children receiving
chemotherapy. All of this can be achieved only through scientific research, and this
research is very expensive.
It is our belief that through research at our and other major institutions,
that a cure for all Children with Cancer is not just a dream, but a goal that can be achieved in the near future.
Children's Cancer Service
The Children's Cancer Service at New York
Medical College at Westchester Medical Center, established in the early 1980's,
has provided state of the art treatment with personal care and compassion to
hundreds of Children with Cancer in the Hudson Valley area and a vast majority
of these children are being cured.
Our Mission for this Decade
is to develop and participate in
research programs that might lead to a cure for all children with cancer, to minimize
treatment related side effects and to provide better support services that will improve
the quality of life for these children and their families.
Committee Members,
Children's Cancer Fund
Staff, The Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center
The Children's Cancer Fund is located at New York Medical College/ Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY.
Top
|
