Support focuses on survivorship issues

Nearly 80 percent of children with cancer survive today, thanks to the progress of pediatric cancer research. Unfortunately, nearly 75 percent of these survivors will develop chronic health problems or secondary cancers due to their treatments, and many become overweight, according to the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a National Cancer Institute-funded study of more than 14,000 survivors at 27 research centers in North America and Canada

Pediatric oncologists at the Children’s Cancer Hospital are investigating ways to detect,prevent and treat these long-term side effects

Laura Worth, M.D., Ph.D., medical center director for the Children’s Cancer Hospital, and Nicole Rosipal, nurse practitioner, are studying the effects of exercise on children receiving stem cell transplants. Philanthropic funding supports a research position as well as the purchase of child-friendly exercise equipment, such as Nintendo Wii systems and stationary bicycles.

Students enrolled in the Pediatric Education Program now participate in a nutrition, health and physical education class supported through philanthropy. The pediatric patients engage in healthy cooking classes and work with a physical therapist who makes exercise a fun part of their weekly routines.

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