|
|
Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities
CBCC Donates $360,000 to Cancer Programs
Each year, at our annual meeting, we get to celebrate our successes
by presenting the funds we've raised throughout the year to our benefiary
organizations. At the 2007 meeting this past January, we were proud
to be able to donate a total of $360,000. CBCC provided funding for
cancer programs at the following organizations who are making a difference
in the fight against cancer.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- Cancer Biology Training Program
- Chicago White Sox Surgical Oncology Research Program
- Clinical Oncology Fellowships
- Dr. Jacob Suker Sports Medicine Program
- Nelli Fox Cancer Care Unit
Children's Memorial Hospital
- Bill Veeck Pediatric Cancer Research Fund
- Chicago White Sox Cancer Research Fund
- Chicago White Sox Stem Cell Transplantation Unit
- Family to Family Program
- Eugene Fanning Patient Room
Camp One Step at a Time
The Cancer Program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, through its affiliation
with the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern
University, stands as one of the nation’s leading programs. It
is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer
center in Illinois and one of only 38 in the nation to hold this prestigious
designation.
With CBCC’s support, the Cancer Program is making great strides.
A new inpatient unit of 15 beds dedicated to oncology patients opened
in the Feinberg pavilion in 2003, bringing the total complement to 75
beds and expanding Northwestern Memorial’s ability to care for
more patients. In addition, in April 2003, a new outpatient facility
was opened. This 32,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility provides a
model for integrated, comprehensive cancer care. Complementing medical,
surgical and gynecologic care is a wide range of patient support services
including social work, psychology, nutrition, pain management, and financial
counseling. In addition, the Cancer Center is serving as a pilot site
for a new Patient Navigator Program being implemented by the American
Cancer Society, which will provide support and information/referral
services for patients.
Highlights of other Cancer Center activities:
- a wide range of both intramural and extramural training and professional
education as well as public education
- annual survivorship activities, including a Survivors Ball Game
event at U.S. Cellular Field in August and a Cancer Survivors Celebration
and Walk in Grant Park on National Cancer Survivors Day in June
- graduate and post-doctoral training grants funded by the National
Cancer Institute, including a recently funded grant in the area of
cancer prevention
- a special summer training program for underserved and minority high
school and undergraduate students to promote careers in research
Additional programs supported by CBCC include:
- an outstanding graduate training program in cancer biology
- a clinical oncology fellowship
- the Nellie Fox Cancer Care Fund which provides support for a variety
of patient and staff activities including the Jolly Trolly that serves
much appreciated treats to cancer patients
- Circle of Care Retreats, a program which helps to rejuvenate the
minds and bodies of caregivers in the Oncology, Palliative Care and
Hospice units; and numerous other cancer-related services
- the Surgical Oncology Seed Support Fund, which supports the research
efforts of the Division of Surgical Oncology
Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities has been a committed supporter of
cancer care at Children’s Memorial Hospital for more than two
decades. Today, Children’s Memorial’s Division of Hematology,
Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation is regarded as a national center
of excellence in pediatric oncology and stem cell transplantation, treating
a record 1,362 inpatients from all over the country in 2003. With CBCC’s
support, Children’s Memorial Hospital continues to build a world-class
cancer program that brings cutting-edge scientific discoveries to the
bedside and provides compassionate family-focused care that takes into
account the social, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their
families. The following are several of the critical clinical, research
and family services programs that CBCC supports through philanthropy.
The Chicago White Sox Stem Cell Transplantation Program
The Chicago White Sox Stem Cell Transplantation Program features
a state-of-the-art stem cell transplantation unit with six hepa-filtered
positive pressure rooms, advanced monitoring equipment and the latest
technology for caring for immunosuppressed patients. Since its establishment
in 1992, the stem cell transplantation program has become one of the
largest and most comprehensive clinical programs in the country, performing
more than 70 stem cell transplants annually. A strong clinical and laboratory-based
research agenda continues to improve outcomes and survival for children
with devastating diseases, including leukemia, neuroblastoma and Wilms
tumors.
Bill Veeck Pediatric Cancer Research Fund
Created in memory of Chicago baseball legend Bill Veeck, this
fund supports cancer and bone marrow transplantation research and clinical
testing of new treatments at Children’s Memorial. Promising areas
of research supported by this fund include:
- discovery and trials of less toxic therapies and drug delivery systems
for children with brain tumors
- innovative approaches to the treatment of chronic Graft versus Host
Disease (GVHD), a life-threatening complication of stem cell transplantation
affecting one in five transplant survivors
- study to evaluate the efficacy of a new treatment option called
photopheresis in patients suffering from severe and refractory Chronic
GVHD. Photopheresis works by exposing white blood cells to ultraviolet
light and then reinfusing them back into the patient
- use of tandem stem cell transplants for children and adolescents
with recurrent brain tumors who are chemotherapy sensitive
The One Step At A Time Camp was founded in 1978 to assist families
whose lives have been affected by childhood cancer and leukemia. The
Camp’s mission is to provide positive, safe and fun camping and
other experiences for children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer
and leukemia, as well as survivors of childhood cancer and leukemia.
With others who have shared the same experiences, children lose their
inhibitions about their hair loss and other therapy-related disfigurements
and test the limits of their physical abilities. Since the camp was
founded, the lives of more than 5,000 children have been touched through
their experiences at One Step At A Time Camp.
- For two weeks each July and one week in December, children and volunteer
staff come together to have fun and to celebrate life. The camps are
open to children from Illinois, Wisconsin and northern Indiana, ages
7 through 19, who have cancer or leukemia.
- Families are asked to pay only $100 per week for camp, although
the average cost per camper is almost $700. Camperships” are
offered for tuition when families cannot afford the modest tuition.
No child is ever turned away because of inability to pay.
- The status of a child’s therapy does not influence eligibility
to attend. Some campers will be currently in treatment for cancer,
some will already be finished with their treatment, and some may no
longer have treatment options available. Regardless, all campers find
opportunities for fun, friendship, and spiritual/psychological healing.
- All camp personnel are volunteers, including the medical staff who
are equipped to deal with the normal cuts and bruises of any recreational
program, as well as with the unique medical challenges of cancer and
its treatments.
- A strong testament to the spirit of optimism and hope inspired by
One Step At A Time Camp, 30 percent of the camping staff are survivors
of childhood cancers and leukemia, and many are former campers themselves.
- Among the many programs and recreational activities available to
campers are: swimming, sailing, water sports, golfing, bowling, arts
& crafts at summer camp and sleigh rides, tobogganing, snow boarding
and cross-country skiing at winter camp.
|
|
