Every donated dollar goes directly to funding cutting-edge research for pediatric cancer, specifically targeting less toxic and more effective breakthrough treatments for osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that predominantly affects children, adolescents, and young adults.
Osteosarcoma is the same cancer that Ava had and eventually took her life.
There hasn’t been much progress in chemotherapy treatment of Osteosarcoma for over 50 years. Since treatment of this cancer involves chemotherapy and surgical removal of the tumor on the bone, it is worth mentioning that while there have been significant advancements on the surgical side of treatment, surgery alone isn’t enough for this highly aggressive cancer and requires the use of chemotherapy and oftentimes radiation.
The Process for Vetting
Research + Tracking Progress
Working with our passionate and highly skilled Scientific Research Advisory Board, which includes some of the world’s top pediatric oncologists and sarcoma specialists, the Glimmers Childhood Cancer Foundation supports advanced research of pediatric cancer, focused on Osteosarcoma.
Our Scientific Research Advisory Board is led by renowned pediatric oncologist Dr. Noah Federman and includes esteemed pediatric oncologists and surgeons such as Dr. Alexander Christ and Dr. Nicholas Bernthal, as well as leading PhD research investigators. We are in partnership with the specialized pediatric sarcoma research team at UCLA, known as the Pediatric Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcoma Program.
The process of vetting research is rigorous and involves expanding our search for the latest innovations and information. Our Scientific Research Advisory Board frequently collaborates with necessary agencies involved in scientific breakthroughs, including the FDA, NIH, pharmaceutical companies, and collaborative efforts to pool funding from other nonprofits. This collective effort aims to invest in the most promising cutting-edge research with the goal of developing groundbreaking treatments for patients.
Our lead investigator, Dr. Noah Federman, works closely with our Board President to ensure the highest integrity in our goals and mission, maximizing the impact of donor funding. The Scientific Research Advisory Board provides bi-annual updates to the Board of Directors on funded research, investment quality, progress, and milestones. This exciting information is then shared with our donors.
Dr. Noah Federman
Dr. Noah Federman* is the Director of the Pediatric Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma Program at UCLA, part of the UCLA Sarcoma Program and UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Federman specializes in treating children, adolescents and young adults with these aggressive cancers. He runs an incredibly comprehensive and & multidisciplinary program involving pediatric and medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, orthopedic oncology surgeons, musculoskeletal radiologists and pathologists, nuclear medicine specialists, physical therapists and prosthetic specialists. Dr. Federman also specializes in conducting clinical trials and leads an experienced clinical research team devoted to providing access to clinical trials for children with refractory, recurrent and metastatic bone and soft tissue cancers.
Dr. Alexander B. Christ
Dr. Alexander Christ* is an orthopedic oncologist who specializes in the treatment of both benign and malignant tumors and related conditions of the musculoskeletal system. He has a special interest in limb salvage and reconstructive techniques following treatment of bone tumors. Dr. Christ graduated from Yale University in New Haven, CT, with a BS in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry. He then earned his medical degree from the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Dr. Christ then completed orthopedic surgery residency at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, the top-ranked orthopedic residency program in the country. Following residency, he completed additional subspecialty fellowship training in Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement at Hospital for Special Surgery and in Musculoskeletal Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Christ is passionate about scientific research that can improve the lives of patients with musculoskeletal tumors, and he has published on a wide variety of related subjects in peer reviewed journals. Specifically, he is interested in sarcoma genetics, drug delivery, and advanced reconstructive techniques after tumor removal.
* Image and doctors bio’s from UCLA Health website