The last words I heard on my first day at Hope & Heroes were “We’ll make it up – it’ll be fun!” The date was April 28th, 2005, and my new colleague was Heather Maloney, then the Executive Director. She was completely right; not only has it been fun, it has also been some of
Owen’s Art Experience
The Alfano Family Arts In Medicine Program, which provides enriching art projects twice a week at the clinic, also has a wonderful partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Recently, this gave one of our patients the opportunity have an amazing art experience with his family. Here are pictures and notes from a very special
Mother And Son, Parent And Survivor
Note: Earlier this month we held our 3rd Annual Luncheon. As part of the program we had several distinguished speakers. But perhaps none were more directly affecting than Freddi Ford, a Hope & Heroes Board Member, and her son Hank, a cancer survivor. Here are the videos and transcripts of their remarks. Freddi Ford, Parent
Pay It Forward: A Survivor’s Values
There is perhaps no better opportunity for a person to shine brightest than when they are faced with adversity. This is something I learned at a young age after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Although I was only nine years old at the time, I was able to recognize that I did not want
Precision Medicine For All Children
We’ve written before about our Precision In Pediatrics program, which applies precision medicine to childhood cancer patients, and have some exciting news to share. This past Thursday, thanks to a $1.5 million grant from The Sohn Conference Foundation, Columbia University Medical Center unveiled The Sohn Precision Medicine Program. “Precision medicine is a critical new tool in
Meet Laura’s Heroes At Columbia & Beyond
My name is Laura Fernandez and I am a proud supporter of Hope & Heroes. I’d like to tell you why. In March of 2014 my son, Lorenzo, passed away from pediatric cancer. I hope you never have to watch first-hand what a child goes through in the battle against cancer. But if the
Meet Jayden’s Heroes At Columbia
My name is Jayden and I’m a SURVIVOR of sickle cell disease. I was treated at Columbia University Medical Center – the #1 program for pediatric cancer and blood disorders in the New York region. Thanks to Hope & Heroes every sick child has access to the same amazing care I received.
Surviving Cancer Competently
In October, the three of us attended a training workshop on an intervention for caregivers of children newly diagnosed with cancer. The training, sponsored by the Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress, was held at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. The Surviving Cancer Competently Intervention Program – Newly Diagnosed (SCCIP-ND) is
The Next Frontier Of Immunotherapy
Editor’s Note: Earlier this month, Dr. Robyn Gartrell, a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow here, traveled to National Harbor, MD, for a conference on immunotherapy. Next to precision medicine, immunotherapy is probably the area of research most people ask about. Thanks to Robyn, we can now present this summary of the work being done at Columbia University Medical
Hope: It’s What’s For Dinner
The Hope & Heroes Annual Dinner was started by Mike & Marianne Brown as a small event 14 years ago to celebrate the end of treatment for their daughter, Katie. Through the support of a growing number of dedicated people, the event has become our largest annual fundraiser, providing significant resources for many needs. But the sentiment