Research Priorities
If we’re going to find cures for children with cancer, we have to think big, work smart, and fund research that helps them survive and thrive.
Leading pediatric oncology experts work with us to determine our research priorities, which help kids of all ages and with all types of childhood cancers.
Funding Priorities
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New Discovery Research
We believe it is important to find new ways to battle childhood cancers, with cutting-edge discoveries that are safer, less toxic and more effective than current treatment options.
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Translational Research
We want the research we fund to have tangible impact on kids with cancer – taking what is learned in the laboratory and translating it into direct benefits for patients.
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Clinical Trials and Infrastructure
Clinical trials are integral to improving cure rates, and most children and teens with cancer are treated on these trials — receiving either the best known treatment, or one that may prove to be better. We also provide funding for personnel and resources to give more children access to clinical trials.
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The Next Generation of Pediatric Oncologists
As today’s experts retire, it’s critical that the next generation be well trained to build on their success and push forward to new cures. We must attract the best and brightest, train them in pediatric oncology research and support them with funding until they have the experience to compete with those established in the field.
Focus Areas
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Adolescents & Young Adults
We make sure our research includes adolescents and young adults, specifically, because survival rates for this population have lagged far behind those of children and adults. We also recognize that without making a single new discovery, 30% more teens with cancer could be cured simply by giving them pediatric — instead of adult — treatments.
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Survivorship
A recent study shows that because of the treatments childhood cancer survivors had as kids, by the time they’re 45, more than 95% of survivors will have a chronic health problem and 80% will have a severe or life-threatening condition. This research includes prevention of late effects and interventions for patients who are already experiencing them.
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Supportive Care Research
This work, often conducted by research nurses, focuses on symptom management, quality of life, family coping skills, compliance with therapy and other areas of care for childhood cancer patients.
St. Baldrick’s funds these and many other areas of research, including studies on the causes of and prevention of childhood cancer, complementary and alternative therapies, and much more.
Our grant types put these research priorities into action.
We are entering an era of unbelievable scientific discovery. But if we don’t turn those discoveries into cures, we will have failed a generation of children.
FORMER Chair of the Children’s Oncology Group
The COG is funded yearly by St. Baldrick’s through our multi-million dollar cooperative research grant.