Help and Hope Happen Here

Sil Lutkiwitte is the Chief Executive Officer and Randy Schrecengost is the Chief Scientific Officer for Targepeutics, and their company has created a protein known as GB-13 which is targeted to help in the fight against DIPG and DMG. This protein is designed to kill off bad brain cells while completely avoiding good brain cells and they are hoping to get the necessary financing to be able to bring this protein to Clinical Trial in the near future. 

Hollis Belger was told by her mom Allison when she was only 9 years old about the importance of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and what its Mission was in fighting pediatric cancer. To say that Hollis took her mom's message literally is the understatement of the year. Almost immediately Hollis started fundraising for St. Jude by using her incredible ability to juggle a soccer ball and now at, 20, she has raised $795,000 for St. Judes and has accomplished many other great things in trying to encourage young people to get involved in causes that empower themselves and empower others to give back to those that need it in many ways, including philanthropy. Hollis is truly one of a kind. 

Chrissy Zimmerman's 4 year old daughter Aria had no symptoms when she went to school in early September of 2022, but by the end of the day, she had 2 golf ball sized swollen nodules that were noticed by her teacher. That led to her diagnosis of T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia , which was followed by her being diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and then by Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis which led to her passing in February of 2024.

Carley Rutledge went through much of 2010 in pain but not getting any correct answers about the cause of this pain for most of that year, until she received the shocking diagnosis of Ewings Sarcoma. Carley went through 2 years of difficult treatment and then was given an immunotherapy drug that worked and she experienced 8 years of being cancer free from this form of Pediatric Bone Cancer. Always active and with many accomplishments, Carley then felt back pain during her run in a Half Marathon which unfortunately indicated her Ewings Sarcoma had relapsed, and this led to her passing in November of 2021 at the age of 27. Carley's mother Laura will talk about her beloved daughter and about her family's Rutledge Cancer Foundation on today's podcast. 

Even at the age of 7 Eric Buther's son Santiago was a graceful athlete but then he became clumsy and also was feeling tired and lethargic before he was diagnosed with DIPG in 2018. Santiago was able to go through an extended "Honeymoon" period after being treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital but then he relapsed and after a stay at Cincinnati Children's Hospital he passed away on January 17th of 2020, while in 3rd grade. 

Not only do Becca Ingersoll's twin boys Lincoln and Logan have special needs, Lincoln was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was 3 years old in January of 2020. Lincoln also has Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus, and Autism. Becca will talk about the very difficult and tricky road that she and her husband Josh have been navigating for the past 7 years, and will also discuss  her work as an activist and advocate in the cause of Pediatric Cancer. 

Becky Handley overheard her 12 year old daughter talk about having double vision to her ballet teacher in September of 2020 after complaining of headaches in the preceding days. The next day which was September 20th, Ava was diagnosed with DIPG. Ava did experience a six month honeymoon period from January of 2021 through July of 2021 but eventually her condition deteriorated and she passed away from this terrible form of Pediatric Brian cancer on June 15th of 2022.

Mylaina Schippers beloved older brother Sal lived for over 6 years after his diagnosis of Leukemia in the early days of 2016 when Sal was 15 years old. Mylaina will talk about Sal's journey in which he had to go through 2 relapses but also had some good moments and accomplishments when he was feeling and doing well. Sal passed away from the Pediatric Blood cancer in April of 2022, one month after his 21st birthday.

On October 24th of 2011 Reilly Cardella's best friend Kassie passed away from Leukemia when they were both 13 years old.  Reilly will discuss the relationship that they had and the inspiration that Reilly developed to become a very strong voice in the cause of Pediatric Cancer. When Reilly was 20 years old she started her non-profit Love For Lady Bug which was named after Kassie, then became a Board Member and Vice President of the Glimmer of Hope Foundation , and in 2023 was voted Miss Apopka, which is a city of 55,000 located near Orlando Florida, and recognized her for all of the advocacy work that Reilly has been involved with. Her advocacy work for the Pediatric Cancer community will undoubtedly continue for many years to come. 

Makenna Thomas had a back that was painful, a right arm that turned numb, and  fingers that she could not move, when she was diagnosed with Meningioma of the Spine in early 2018 at the age of 14. Makenna will talk about her battle both physically and even more so emotionally during that period and even beyond, and will also talk about her very successful recovery and life in which she is a senior at UCLA, is the President of the American Cancer Society on campus, oversees the Relay For Life Team at UCLA which is the leading fundraising college in the country for that event, and is studying neuroscience.