Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Brain tumors are now considered the leading cause of cancer death in children. There are more than 130 different known types of brain tumors (WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System - World Health Organization. 4th Edition, 2007), making this type of cancer extremely difficult to diagnose and to treat. There is very little funding set aside for pediatric brain tumor research. Outside of the federal government, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation [1] is the largest funder of children's brain tumor research in the world.^{[citation needed]}

This national organization is dedicated to supporting the search for the cause of and cure for childhood brain tumors. Its mission began when Mike and Dianne Traynor saw the struggle and pain of a colleague whose child was stricken with a brain tumor. In 1984, the couple established the Ride for Kids motorcycle charity program to meet the dual goals of raising money for research and educating the public about childhood brain tumors. Events now take place in 40 cities across the U.S.

The success and growth of Ride for Kids inspired the Traynors to start the PBTF in 1991. Overall, the organization has raised more than $54 million for childhood brain tumor research and family support programs.

The foundation relies on a Scientific Advisory Board, composed of physicians and scientists from leading major medical institutions, to guide its research funding. It requires researchers to collaborate on funded projects and to share information discovered freely. The PBTF has funded more than 50 research institutions worldwide, including the PBTF Institutes at Duke University, the University of California, San Francisco, and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

The PBTF also provides family support services at no charge to the public. Its resources include bilingual educational materials, newsletters, Internet conferences, and college scholarships for brain tumor survivors.

Each year 3,750 more children are diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor in the U.S. (Porter KR, McCarthy BJ, Freels S, Kim Y, Davis FG. "Prevalence Estimates for Primary Brain Tumors in the US by Age, Gender, Behavior, and Histology." Neuro-Oncology, In Press.)

Brain tumors have effects on both the diagnosed person and the family. Depending upon where the tumor is located, a child could lose function with certain skills, change behaviors, etc.