Join us this September as we share stories of courage, hope and inspiration on our social media channels for Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month. We will celebrate our patients and families and our team of over 300 dedicated pediatric healthcare professionals at The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders who are committed to exceptional patient care and to research that will lead to a cure.
PATIENT STORIES
KENNEDI
Kennedi Dahnsaw was 5 months old the first time she had a sickle cell crisis. More followed, each requiring a hospital visit.
Read Kennedi’s Story
HARMONY
Thanks to a clinical trial at Children’s of Alabama, Harmony Cooper is an active 9-year-old who thrives despite having sickle cell disease. Harmony’s mom, Briona Leonard, says the trial medication, hydroxurea, improved her overall health.
Read Harmony’s Story
DEAN
The conversation lasted only a few seconds, but it changed the lives of Dean Stratton and his family. “I have bad news,” a doctor told them.
Read Dean's Story
GWEN
When Gwen Shaver was diagnosed with a rare genetic bone disease, her only option was a bone marrow transplant. It came from her older brother, Henry. Though her recovery process was challenging, she’s now thriving. Her parents say she’s a miracle baby, and Henry is their super hero. They’re thankful for the care Gwen received at Children’s
Read Gwen's Story
RYAN
Shortly after birth, Ryan Pickett was diagnosed with sickle cell disease, hemoglobin SS. It’s typically the most severe form of the disease.
Read Ryan’s Story
CHARLIE
Charlie Reeder’s battle with neuroblastoma began on a family trip a month before her third birthday. What initially seemed to be a stomach bug turned out to be a tumor.
Read Charlie’s StoryINSIDE PEDIATRICS ARTICLES AND PODCAST
The Role of Consortia in the Fight Against Cancer
Since arriving at Children's of Alabama in 2019, Girish Dhall, M.D., has worked to get the hospital involved in more research consortia. In this episode, Dhall explains the role of consortia, how they're helping Children's patients and how they're enabling the hospital to make a global impact.
Featured Speaker:
Girish Dhall, M.D., serves as the Benjamin Russell Endowed Chair in Pediatric Hematology Oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He’s the director of the Children’s of Alabama Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Dhall is a professor of pediatrics and senior scientist at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. He also serves as director of the UAB Neuro-Oncology Program and as deputy director of the Neurofibromatosis Clinical Trials Consortium (NFCTC). Dhall earned his medical degree from Grant Medical College in Mumbai, India, received pediatric residency training at Saint Vincent’s Hospital & Medical Center/New York Medical College and completed his pediatric hematology oncology fellowship at New York University (NYU) Medical Center/NYU School of Medicine.
INCREASING HPV VACCINATION RATES IN YOUNG CANCER SURVIVORS
Childhood cancer survivors are significantly less likely to receive the HPV vaccine than their peers without cancer, despite having a three times higher risk of developing HPV-related cancers later in life[1]. A new initiative at Children’s of Alabama aims to improve vaccination rates, so patients can be protected long into their survivorship. Read more...
AT THE INTERSECTION OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE AND ASTHMA
While many people know of sickle cell disease (SCD), it may be surprising to learn that there is a high prevalence of co-occurring asthma among children with SCD. Brandi Pernell, DNP, has been researching social determinants of health that impact young patients with a double diagnosis. Read more...
JOIN BE THE MATCH
Donor Registry Drive
September 6, 2023
7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Save the life of a patient in need of a transplant by joining the Be the Match Registry. As a member of the registry, you’ll be listed as a potential bone marrow donor. If you’re matched with someone in need, you could save a life.
Want to know how to take the first step to being someone’s cure? Visit join.bethematch.org/ChildrensAL or text “ChildrensAL” to 61474.
Children’s of Alabama will shine a light to raise awareness about childhood cancer. Beginning at dusk on September 1, the hospital will be lit in gold for the entire month.
KENDRA SCOTT GIVES BACK
Beginning September 1, mention Children’s of Alabama at in-store checkout, and 20% of proceeds from patient-designed necklaces will be donated to the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. On Saturday, September 16, from Noon until 2 p.m., you can join an in-store party at both Kendra Scott locations in Birmingham and Huntsville. During the event, 20% of your total purchase will be donated. RSVP for the in-store party at childrensofal-giveback.splashthat.com. During the weekend of September 16 and 17, use the code GIVEBACK-EQYIF online, and 20% of your total purchase will be donated.
COOKIE FIX
For every Cure Gold cookie purchased during September 11-16, Cookie Fix will donate a portion of sales to Children’s of Alabama. The cookies will be available at the Homewood and Cahaba Heights locations.
BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN GOLD OUT GAME
Birmingham Southern football will host a Gold Out Game when the Panthers host Millsaps College on Sept. 30. A Children’s patient will serve as honorary captain during the coin toss. Kick-off at 4 p.m.
Love’s Travel Stop
Stop by a Love’s Travel Stop and purchase a balloon icon or round up your total at any location through Sept. 30. To find your nearest Love’s location click here.
Buy Alabama’s Best
Buy Alabama’s Best is a campaign to identify and raise awareness of Alabama food products, increase sales of those products, and raise money for the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. Participating retailers will ask customers to show their
support for Children’s by purchasing a yellow ribbon.
THE CURING CHILDHOOD CANCER SPECIALTY CAR TAG
The Curing Childhood Cancer Specialty Car Tag- The specialty car tag helps provide funding for patient care, education, research and specialized physician training. You can purchase the tag at your local DMV during your car tag renewal month. The fee is $50, with $41.25 donated to Children’s.
