Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Joins Forces with Children’s Brain Tumor Network to Drive Pediatric Brain Tumor Research

Exciting news is on the horizon for the pediatric healthcare community as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta proudly announces its partnership with the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN). This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the quest to advance research and provide enhanced support for children and families grappling with brain tumors. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta was able to officially join the Children's Brain Tumor Network as a member site thanks to generous funding from The Ross K. MacNeill Foundation (R33M™) to cover first-year expenses of the hospital's participation. This significant gift highlights R33M's unwavering commitment to fostering growth in pediatric brain tumor research to find cures for kids.

With 35 participating institutions spanning Europe, Asia, Australia, and the United States, CBTN has added another esteemed member to its roster in the form of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Dr. Jason Fangusaro, Director of Developmental Therapeutics at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine, will take the helm as the CBTN’s principal investigator for this new partnership.

In expressing his enthusiasm for the collaboration, Dr. Fangusaro stated, “We at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center are thrilled to join the CBTN and become a member institution. We hope to contribute to the acceleration of research on behalf of all children diagnosed with a brain tumor.”

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, renowned as the only freestanding pediatric healthcare system in Georgia, has solidified its reputation as a trusted leader in pediatrics. Boasting more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs, the institution is one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country, managing over one million patient visits annually.

"We’re thrilled to welcome Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as a new CBTN member institution. Together, we stand united in our commitment to advance research, provide unwavering support, and improve care for children and families affected by brain tumors," said Jena Lilly, Executive Director of Children’s Brain Tumor Network.

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's role as a primary CBTN member site involves contributing consented samples of childhood tissue to propel the understanding of childhood brain tumor biology forward. Through a meticulous process, each brain tumor tissue sample is de-identified before undergoing genetic sequencing, transforming the samples into invaluable data for researchers worldwide. This crucial step not only advances research but also prioritizes the privacy of each child involved.

Recognizing the significance of collaboration, the CBTN emphasizes that no single institution can amass enough samples independently. By joining forces through the CBTN, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta aims to contribute to more effective treatments for children battling brain tumors.

As we welcome Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta into the fold, we extend our deepest gratitude to them and all of our esteemed member institutions. Your unwavering belief in our mission and dedication to pediatric brain tumor research has been instrumental in our collective success. Together, we can make strides towards a future where no child has to face the challenges of a brain tumor alone.