Children's Bone Cancer
Bone cancer is the 5th most common cancer, occurring mostly in the adolescent years.  The 2-year disease-free survival rate for children with a primary tumor and no metastases (growths) has remained stagnant at about 60-65% for the past 20 years despite multiple changes in the combination chemotherapy regimens used to treat this disease.  Patients with metastases at diagnosis have an extremely poor survival rate at about 10%.

Because this is a relatively rare cancer, it is not a high priority on the cancer agenda.  Attention is directed to the more common cancers, which include breast, lung, colon and prostate cancer.  Since empiric changes in the combination therapy regimens have resulted in no improvement in survival rates, it is urgent that research for this type of cancer be focused on better understanding the molecular markers and molecular mechanisms that control tumor growth and metastases in order to identify new therapeutic targets.  Unfortunately, federal dollars to support research in childhood cancer is less than 3% of the National Cancer Institute budget - less than 1% goes towards bone cancer research.

Small organizations such as ours can make a significant impact on expanding research for this disease.  We are dedicated to educate, raise money and direct the dollars to ensure a focus on bone cancer.  Together, we will be a champion for children who have bone cancer offering them hope for identifying new therapeutic options and a life that is cancer free.

Basic and clinical research is the future and the only way to make progress in the treatment of this disease.  Please help us fight for these children and their parents who have to deal with the pain and suffering that is associated when a child is struck with cancer.  With your help, we can assist scientists in discovering new ways to treat bone cancer with the ultimate hope of improving the 60-65% survival rate.

One day we WILL find a cure!