United Therapeutics Partners with Former NFL Player Devon Still and His Daughter Leah to Launch "Braving NeuroBLASToma" in Honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
- Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in infants less than one year old and the third-most common pediatric cancer in children less than 15 years old, accounting for 15 percent of childhood cancer deaths [i],[ii],[iii]
- Diagnosed at age four with high-risk neuroblastoma, cancer survivor Leah and her father Devon join United Therapeutics to recognize and support families impacted by this difficult-to-treat cancer at all stages of the patient journey - from recent diagnosis to during and after treatment
- For more than two decades, United Therapeutics Oncology has been a pioneering partner in the fight against high-risk neuroblastoma
Each year, about 800 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma, accounting for seven to ten percent of all childhood cancers in
"When I first learned that Leah had high-risk neuroblastoma, the sense of fear and helplessness was so overwhelming that I struggled to know where to begin," said Devon Still. "Over the years, so many in the childhood cancer community have shown us how much they care each and every step of the way, from making the tough decisions to ensuring Leah's comfort while undergoing treatment. Partnering with
Braving NeuroBLASToma features:
- A family-friendly toolkit with a resource-rich website, including a comprehensive library of information and resources such as questions for the doctor, navigating clinical trials, understanding treatment, and caregiver advice.
- A series of four beautifully illustrated books, including the latest release of Zara Takes Off – inspiring hope and encouragement as families transition to life after treatment. The new release includes a personal foreword penned by Leah, sharing details of her personal journey.
- Each book highlights different stages of the high-risk neuroblastoma journey, beginning with The Big Adventures of Little Skivolo that helps families understand diagnosis and treatment, The Next Big Adventure of Little Skivolo that focuses specifically on the antibody therapy phase of treatment, Little Skivolo's Big Book of Fun, an activity book to help entertain kids and families during hospital stays and culminates with Zara Takes Off.
"For many years,
As treatment comes to an end, families can start to transition out of treatment mode and into more familiar routines while the healthcare team continues to monitor the child's recovery. But the neuroblastoma journey doesn't stop there, patients will continue to see their oncology team on a routine basis to monitor for long-term side effects and to ensure the cancer has not returned. This leg of the journey requires continued vigilance, support, and encouragement.
"The treatment of a child with high-risk neuroblastoma challenges both patients and caregivers to their core, with each family enduring unique and evolving medical needs," said
For more information visit BravingNeuroBLASToma.com, a comprehensive resource for every step in the patient journey.
About Neuroblastoma:
Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in infants less than a year old, but is considered a rare cancer.i Each year, about 800 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma, accounting for seven to ten percent of all childhood cancers in
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iv https://www.cancer.org/cancer/neuroblastoma/about/what-is-neuroblastoma.html
v Cancer.net. Neuroblastoma-Childhood: Statistics. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/neuroblastoma-childhood/statistics#:~:text=Each%20year%2C%20about%20800%20children,1%20and%202%20years%20old.
vi St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Neuroblastoma. https://together.stjude.org/en-us/about-pediatric-cancer/types/neuroblastoma.html
vii PDQ Cancer Information Summaries. Neuroblastoma Treatment. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65747/
viii Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Childhood Neuroblastoma. https://www.dana-farber.org/childhood-neuroblastoma/
ix Cancer. Net. Neuroblastoma-Childhood: Introduction. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/neuroblastoma-childhood/introduction
x https://www.childrensoncologygroup.org/index.php/in-treatment-for-neuroblastoma
xihttps://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/relapsed-or-refractory-neuroblastoma
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