Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital has been awarded a $48,000 Infrastructure Grant from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to enhance pediatric cancer patients’ access to clinical trials. This funding aims to provide specialized tests and free medication during studies, particularly benefiting underserved families.
Impact on Clinical Trial Access
Clinical trials offer children access to specialized tests unavailable elsewhere and provide free medication during the study. Participation from local patients helps to develop therapies that address health disparities and enhance treatment outcomes for all children. The grant will fund a Clinical Research Associate position at the Cancer Center, expanding its capacity to offer clinical trials in collaboration with the Children’s Oncology Group.
Long-Standing Commitment to Pediatric Cancer Care
For over 40 years, Loma Linda University Cancer Center has been a leader in childhood cancer treatment through its involvement with the Children’s Oncology Group. Since 2016, Albert Kheradpour, MD, chief of pediatric hematology/oncology at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, has secured six Infrastructure Grants from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to advancing pediatric cancer research and care.
Key Support Areas
The grant will support several key areas, including:
- Collecting protocol-specific subject questionnaires.
- Managing specimen collection, processing, and shipping.
- Obtaining age of majority consent and submitting long-term follow-up data.
- Overseeing data for more than 700 pediatric cancer patients who have participated in clinical trials.
Addressing Disparities in Care
With 80% of its patients coming from families living in poverty or lacking insurance, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital is committed to breaking down barriers to care. This grant will provide underserved families with access to potentially life-saving clinical trials, ensuring that every child has the opportunity for better outcomes.
