This week we are excited to share some amazing neuroblastoma research articles that have shown positive and optimistic results!

We also have numerous fundraising events to share as well as one family’s desperate plea to the public for donations to their daughter’s potentially life-saving cancer treatment. If at any time you are able to donate to any of the children we mention in these weekly newsletters, please do so as there are many families like the Simpson family who desperately need your financial support. As always, thank you for your continued support and love for Because of Ezra.

Here’s this week’s links…

Kids – Why We Fight

Oscar Knox is moved into hospice for full-time care

The courageous 5 year old neuroblastoma fighter, Oscar Knox has been moved to the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice for full-time care. Oscar has been placed on extremely high doses of diamorphine to give him some comfort from his quickly spreading cancer. Please take a moment and lift Oscar and his family up in prayer during this painstaking time.irishmirror.ie.

Non-Profits / Events / News

Anticancer activity of liposomal bergamot essential oil on human neuroblastoma cells

Citrus extracts, particularly bergamot essential oil (BEO) and its fractions, have been found to exhibit anticancer efficacy. But due to poor water solubility, low stability and limited bioavailability BEO has not been able to be used in cancer therapy. Fortunately, researchers have been able to formulate BEO liposomes that improve the water solubility of the phytocomponents and increase their anticancer activity in vitro against human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. We are looking forward to learning more about BEO in the near future!aromaticscience.com.

Stage 4N neuroblastoma tumors may require less intensive therapy

Patients with neuroblastoma who had metastatic disease limited to distant lymph nodes demonstrated improved outcomes and therefore may be eligible for less intensive therapy compared with other patients with stage IV disease, according to retrospective study results. Researchers were able to gather information on 2,250 patients who were diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma from 1990-2002. Of this data obtained, patients with metastatic disease that was limited to the distant lymph nodes (4N disease) demonstrated significantly improved 5-year EFS (77% ± 4% vs. 35% ±1%) and 5-year OS (85% ± 3% vs. 42% ± 1%) compared with other patients with stage IV disease (both, P˂.001). This is very promising research!healio.com.

Fighting Neuroblastomas by Blocking Their DNA Replication, Repair

A peptide compound known as R9-caPep developed by City of Hope scientists may improve neuroblastoma survival rates which are currently around 40 to 50 percent. R9-caPep works by targeting and disrupting proliferating cell nuclear antigens (PCNA), proteins that are essential in DNA synthesis, replication and repair. Furthermore, R9-caPep was particularly effective on cancer cells with an amplified MYCN gene, which is linked to more aggressive and higher-risk neuroblastomas. Again, we look forward to future results of these promising findings.newswise.com.

Making advances in pediatric cancer

The Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Western Michigan has one of the largest children’s cancer treatment programs in the Midwest. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is part of a NMTRC Symposium happening April 27 – 29 in Grand Rapids. They will be discussing neuroblastoma, which is a type of pediatric cancer that has a high rate of relapse. This should be an incredibly amazing and educational conference!woodtv.com.

Research and Markets: Global Neuroblastoma Clinical Trials Review 2014 – Analysis of 9 Companies

Research and Markets recently announced the addition of the “Neuroblastoma Global Clinical Trials Review, H1, 2014,” report. This review provides information on Neuroblastoma clinical trial scenarios and provides elemental data related to these clinical trials. For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/lbvc8f/neuroblastoma businesswire.com.

Bruised and scratched but proud to have done it for Reece

Battered, bruised, and slightly muddy, Team Dynamo took on the Dirty Dozen – an 15-obstacle race set in a muddy field – to raise funds for the Royal Marsden hospital, where 11 year old Seasalter schoolboy Reece Puddington was treated when he was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Reece’s cancer has now spread to his bone marrow, skull, pelvis and shoulders and doctors have said there is little more they can do for him. Team Dynamo’s fundraising efforts resulted in more than £700 for the hospital. For more information search for Reece’s Retreat or Reece Puddington appeal on Facebook.canterburytimes.co.uk.

RAF Leeming family’s desperation as fundraising for Fraja dries up

Funding is not only crucial for researching childhood cancer, it is also crucial for families in the midst of the battle and for one such family, donations have slowed to a trickle. The parents of 6 year old neuroblastoma fighter Fraja Simpson are making a desperate plea for supporters to continue to donate in the case that Fraja relapses – which nearly 80% of neuroblastoma patients relapse- thus requiring abroad treatment. “When a child looks sick that’s when people are most supportive. But when neuroblastoma comes back, it comes back quickly with a vengeance” stated Mr. Simpson. Please consider donating to Fraja’s treatment. Any amount you can give will greatly be appreciated. For details of how to get involved, visit facebook.com/frajaellieappeal.thenorthernecho.co.uk.

Princess Lacey’s life celebrated at Michigan State

More than 2,500 people filled the Michigan State Breslin Center to honor and remember the always smiling 8 year old “Princess” Lacey Holsworth on Thursday, April 17th. Beautiful pictures slowly flashed on the scoreboard and a 45 minute tribute video was played during Lacey’s memorial ceremony which included a recorded message from Lacey’s #1 fan, Michigan State’s star player Adrian Payne. “She had such an impact on everybody as you can see based on the turnout,” stated Michigan State player Travis Trice. “She had a way of bringing everybody together.” We continue to pray for the Holsworth family.sfgate.com.

Fourth Annual Tucker’s Trek 5K And One-Mile Fun Run Is May 18

The fourth annual Tucker’s Trek 5K and one-mile fun run benefiting Emily’s Power for a Cure Neuroblastoma Foundation takes place Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at Baylor’s new Tucker Hunt ’16 Memorial Lacrosse Field. Tucker’s Trek was created after Mr. Tucker learned of Emily and her battling with neuroblastoma and he took it upon himself to raise awareness and funding for Neuroblastoma research. For more information or to register visit https://www.emilyspowerforacure.com/www/docs/100.71/tucker-trek-5k-registrationchattanoogan.com.

Parents of brave girl, 5, tell of their devastation as her cancer returns

The parents of 5 year old neuroblastoma fighter Summer Allen dreadfully announced on Friday that Summer has relapsed. The Allen family is now trying to quickly raise £500,000 for possible medical help abroad as treatment options are not currently available in the UK. Summer’s mother Sarah details how crushed the family is to learn that her cancer came back, “It has been very hard, Summer’s cancer was stable, but for it to show its ugly face again hit us very hard. We really wished it was going to stay stable for longer.” The family is being supported by the Families Against Neuroblastoma charity, which is backing the appeal which currently stands at just over £17,000. To help with the fundraising, visit justgiving.com/summer-allen-appeal, text SUMM95 and your amount, between £1 and £10, to 70070 or contact the family via the Summer Allen Facebook page. thetelegraphandargus.co.uk.

Handbags sale for neuroblastoma scheduled for May

The Team 4 Hope is hosting its third annual Handbags For Hope at the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club on May 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. All handbags are gently used and donated to be sold to raise money for neuroblastoma research. Last year, the event raised $7,900 and Team 4 Hope are aiming to raise even more this year! We hope the event is a great success!paherald.sk.ca.

13-year cancer survivor selling polka dots for cancer

There’s a white Chevy Blazer driving around Park Rapids with multi-colored polka dots all over it and this vehicle could make a difference in a cancer fighter’s life! Cole Bethel, a 7th grade student at Century Middle School and 13-year Neuroblastoma cancer survivor, decorated his mother’s truck to help raise awareness and funding for cancer. Cole has set a goal of selling 1,000 polka dot spots at either $5 or $10 each. Once purchased, they can be placed anywhere (legal) on his mother’s car, and she will drive around as a daily promotion for their cause. Half of the proceeds will go to the Relay for Life in Park Rapids (at which Cole will be presenting a check) and the other half will be sent to the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo. Specifically, it will go to supporting and comforting those receiving treatment for cancer under Dr. Nathan Kobrinsky – Cole’s doctor. For more information, follow the cause or to purchase a polka dot, visit http://polkadotmomscar.blogspot.com/parkrapidsenterprise.com.

Community comes together for ‘Strides for Stella’

Strides for Stella was organized by 20 Florida Gulf Coast University students to raise awareness and funding for 2 year old, Stage IV Neuroblastoma fighter Stella Frattarelli. The goal of this event is raise money to help the family with their medical expenses, gas, food, child care, deductibles, and medication. We want to give a huge “Thank you!” to those 20 students who are making a significant difference in the Frattarelli family’s life, as well as neuroblastoma families nationwide! You all are making an incredible difference!paherald.sk.ca.

The Isabella Santos Foundation Now Looking for Part-Time Employee to Handle Projects This Summer

Do you live in the Charlotte, North Carolina area? Looking for a rewarding part-time summer job? Want to raise awareness and funding for neuroblastoma research? Well, this article is for you! The Isabella Santos Foundation is seeking a compassionate part-time employee to handle an exclusive project, The Isabella Santos Foundation’s 7th Annual 5k for Kids with Cancer. This short term opportunity requires a 10-20 hour work week from the months of May through September at a rate of 10-dollars per hour. Those interested in the position must be experienced and active on social media, as well as use their background to build an auction committee with a team of volunteers. For more information, including how to apply for this position, please visit http://www.isabellasantosfoundation.com/ digitaljournal.com.

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