The Beneficiary of Ben's Run: Critical Cutting Edge Research at Children's National
Over the past ten years, Ben's Run has donated a total of $863,500 to Children's National to improve the treatment of children with cancer. As in previous years, proceeds from Ben’s Run 2021, will support research to benefit the sickest children in the oncology and bone marrow units in the Center of Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s National.
The funds raised in 2020-2021 will continue the work of clinical trials that began in 2013 with the support of Ben’s Run funds. These trials are evaluating innovative T cell therapies to improve outcomes for children with leukemia who are either high risk for relapse or have already relapsed after bone marrow transplantation. The successes of these studies so far are already opening doors for new investigations to improve the care for other cancers, such as pediatric solid tumors and lymphoma. These important studies will also pave the way to broaden the applicability of these novel cell therapies to all children in need. All findings will be reported to the scientific community, particularly the Children’s Oncology Group – the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. In addition to cancer research, our funds will also be used for innovative therapy for kids with COVID-19 and cancer to ensure they can receive their cancer treatment. We are deeply grateful to all the individuals, fundraisers, businesses and organizations who donated to the run this year and we look forward to holding an in-person run sometime in 2021.
To read more about the vital work of Ben's Run, read the Impact Report by clicking HERE
About Children's National
Children’s National receives visits from more than 19,000 children annually who are fighting cancer. Cancer treatment requires children, once diagnosed, to return for treatment often multiple times a week for months to three years depending on diagnosis. Once active treatment is completed, children must return annually for up to five years while in maintenance.
Children’s National has approximately 300 new cancer diagnoses each year and it conducts 50 bone marrow transplants each year.
In addition to treating children diagnosed with childhood cancer, including leukemia, and performing bone marrow transplants to cure or treat some of their diseases, health care professionals in the Center also treat rare immunologic disorders, hematologic disorders and sickle cell disease. Children’s cares for the second largest sickle cell disease population in the country.
Children’s National provides care to every child. It does not turn patients away based on ability to pay.