The weather outside may be frightful but we have some great stories for you this week, including upcoming benefit concerts, registration for the 2014 NMTRC Symposium, a humbling game of cricket, and a promising study that may allow for more accurate treatment for neuroblastoma! Grab some hot cocoa and enjoy!

Here’s this week’s links…

Non-Profits / Events / News

Concerts to benefit girl with neuroblastoma

Attention all local Because of Ezra supporters, there will be several concerts coming up in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota area to benefit 4 year old neuroblastoma fighter Teeja Johnson. Concerts will be held December 14th-15th and will be hosted by Allisongs for Tots and Music & Me, LLC. The concerts will be free, however, a $25 donation would be greatly appreciated; all donations will go to Teeja’s Fund through Kickin’ for Kids. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/UncleGerryConcertsforTeeja.Heraldtribune.com.

NMTRC Symposium 2014

Registration is now open for the 2014 NMTRC Symposium in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 3 day event will take place April 27th-29th and will feature presentations by international experts, families and advocates addressing all aspects of neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma, from personalized medicine to research in targeted new therapeutics including discussion of the drug approval process with a FDA representative and a focus on patient centered care for these children. For more information about this event or to register, please visit http://nmtrc.org/2014-nmtrc-symposium/nmtrc.org.

Brad Higgins shows family’s fighting spirit with a knock for the ages

Brad Higgins, Australia’s wicketkeeper’s 3 year old daughter, Mia has been fighting neuroblastoma for 18 months. Haddin said his daughter’s battle with neuroblastoma has put cricket in perspective, “It showed me it was just a game.” Brad scored a century in Adelaide Test on day two of the tournament making him the second player to ever reach this milestone. Congratulations Brad and best wishes to you, Mia!”Smh.com.au.

Research

XAV939, a tankyrase 1 inhibitior, promotes cell apoptosis in neuroblastoma cell lines by inhibiting Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway

Neuroblastoma is the most common form of cancer in infants with over 600 children per year being diagnosed in the US alone, and tragically, a child will die from neuroblastoma every 16 hours. Current treatment only has a 40% long-term cure rates and usually cause recurrence. Scientists are desperately seeking more effective and less toxic treatment options. Researchers have begun looking at the effects XAV939 has on neuroblastoma cells. Preliminary findings from this study have found that the TNKS1 may be a potential molecule target for the treatment of neuroblastoma. This is great and promising news! 7thspace.com.

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