Childhood Cancer Survivors Push for Follow Up Program
Mari Galiher of Hawaii was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of four and survived two and a half years of harrowing therapy, emerging cancer-free.
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October 20, 2009
Mari Galiher of Hawaii was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of four and survived two and a half years of harrowing therapy, emerging cancer-free. Now her mother is leading the efforts to establish a long-term cancer survivor program in the state.
After going through what she described to the Star Bulletin as "the most devastating time in my life," Diane Ono went on to thrive as chairwoman of the Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation. The organization provides emotional and financial support to families battling pediatric cancers across the state.
She also started collaboration with Dr ZoAnn Dreyer, medical director of the long-term cancer survivor program at Texas Children's Hospital. Dreyer told the news source that children cured of cancer need to be monitored because many of the treatments can lead to health problems in later life.
According to the National Cancer Institute, various forms of the disease are the leading cause of non-accidental death among U.S. children. In 2008, more than 10,000 new cases were diagnosed across the country.
The source further states that although the incidence of cancer in children has increased slightly over the past 30 years, mortality has significantly declined due to better therapeutic methods and other scientific advances. Therefore, scientists have been stressing the importance of genetic testing and counseling so that children at risk can be monitored and intervention can be undertaken in a timely fashion.
Among the many organizations providing information and support to survivors and their families are the Childhood Cancer Foundation, which accepts donations, as well as the Pediatric Oncology Resource Center.
Mari Galiher of Hawaii was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of four and survived two and a half years of harrowing therapy, emerging cancer-free. Now her mother is leading the efforts to establish a long-term cancer survivor program in the state.
After going through what she described to the Star Bulletin as "the most devastating time in my life," Diane Ono went on to thrive as chairwoman of the Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation. The organization provides emotional and financial support to families battling pediatric cancers across the state.
She also started collaboration with Dr ZoAnn Dreyer, medical director of the long-term cancer survivor program at Texas Children's Hospital. Dreyer told the news source that children cured of cancer need to be monitored because many of the treatments can lead to health problems in later life.
According to the National Cancer Institute, various forms of the disease are the leading cause of non-accidental death among U.S. children. In 2008, more than 10,000 new cases were diagnosed across the country.
The source further states that although the incidence of cancer in children has increased slightly over the past 30 years, mortality has significantly declined due to better therapeutic methods and other scientific advances. Therefore, scientists have been stressing the importance of genetic testing and counseling so that children at risk can be monitored and intervention can be undertaken in a timely fashion.
Among the many organizations providing information and support to survivors and their families are the Childhood Cancer Foundation, which accepts donations, as well as the Pediatric Oncology Resource Center.
