Tanksley Foundation anuncia donación para apoyar investigaciones sobre el cáncer en el LCH
CHARLOTTE - A generous commitment from the Adam Faulk Tanksley Foundation will support advanced pediatric cancer research at Levine Children's Hospital.
The Foundation, established in honor of five-year-old cancer survivor Adam Tanksley, has committed $500,000 to Levine Children's Hospital. The contribution will directly impact the hospital's ability to provide local access to high-level clinical trials and cancer-related studies for its pediatric cancer patients. This marks a significant step in bringing new research to Charlotte, which means children can receive the care they need - right here in our community, rather than traveling out of state.
Since opening in 2007, Levine Children's Hospital has seen 500 new patients in its Pediatric Hematology Oncology Center. One of those patients was Adam Tanksley, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Anaplastic Wilm's Tumor - a rare childhood cancer of the kidney - just weeks prior to his fourth birthday. Adam endured multiple surgeries, one of which was the removal of his right kidney; over 120 rounds of chemotherapy; and 18 days of abdomen, lung, chest, and neck radiation.
'Adam is a true testament to how strong you can be mentally, physically, and spiritually even at the young age of five,' said his father, Mike Tanksley. 'We have drawn on our experience at Levine Children's Hospital; we are passionate about helping others; and our foundation is dedicated to giving back and making a difference in the lives of children and families affected by pediatric cancer.'
As one of the fastest growing programs at Levine Children's Hospital, The Pediatric Hematology Oncology Center treats patients with brain tumors, kidney cancer, bone and soft tissue tumors, lymphoma, and leukemia. In addition, the program has most recently added neuro-oncology services and blood and marrow transplantation. Patients currently have access to a range of clinical research studies, including National Cancer Institute protocols for therapies under development, as well as more than 60 clinical trials through the internationally recognized Children's Oncology Group, a collaborative initiative including patients, researchers and hospitals throughout the world.
'We can place Levine Children's Hospital among the best in the nation in the fight against childhood cancer,' said Dr. Leonard Feld, the Sara A. and Smoky H. Bissell Endowed Chairman of Pediatrics at Levine Children's Hospital. 'We have expanded our oncology program and now have a team in place that is ready to assume a major role.' El equipo está formado por seis médicos certificados y cuatro proveedores de nivel intermedio, que ahora están posicionados para comenzar la investigación en la etapa inicial de identificación y análisis de nuevas terapias contra el cáncer a través de los estudios de investigación de Fase 1 y Fase 2 aprobados por la FDA. Los estudios de Fase I consisten en analizar la seguridad de un medicamento nuevo en un pequeño grupo de voluntarios sanos. Los ensayos de Fase II son estudios que implican una mayor cantidad de pacientes reales para determinar los efectos del medicamento.
'With support from the Tanksley Foundation and others in the community, our pediatric oncology patients will have access to the care they need - close to home,' said Martha Whitecotton, Levine Children's Hospital Administrator. 'This gift represents another step in the fulfillment of the vision for children's healthcare in Charlotte.' Adam Faulk Tanksley Foundation es una organización sin fines de lucro creada con el único propósito de marcar una diferencia en las vidas de niños y familias afectados por el cáncer pediátrico. Mediante la recaudación de fondos y la toma de conciencia a través de eventos divertidos y edificantes, la fundación está dedicada a encontrar una cura para el cáncer pediátrico.
Levine Children's Hospital (LCH) is a 12-story, 234-bed facility designed with family-centered care as a top priority. Established to accommodate projected growth of more than 100,000 children in the next nine years, it is the most comprehensive children's hospital between Atlanta and Washington, D.C. LCH treats an average of 150 children each day - more children than any other hospital in the Carolinas. Located on the campus of Carolinas Medical Center, it serves as the regional referral center for pediatric trauma and pediatric surgical services.
Levine Children's Hospital was recently named to U.S. News & World Report's list of 'America's Best Children's Hospitals' for treatment of kidney disorders. Other distinctions include organ and bone marrow transplants; pediatric dialysis; interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery; and heart-lung bypass capabilities for newborns and pediatric patients. Levine has an inpatient pediatric rehabilitation unit, 24/7 emergency services, and the Ricky Hendrick Centers for Intensive Care, which support pediatric intensive and cardiovascular surgery patients.
