Chase Jones, who was successfully treated for stage IV brain cancer at UNC Lineberger, started the Vs. Cancer Foundation with the goal of fundraising for pediatric cancer research and supporting the needs of patients and families during treatment. Since 2013, Vs. Cancer has provided UNC Lineberger with more than $245,000 in grants, including the most recent gift of $115,000 to support pediatric cellular immunotherapy trials and research, and specifically, the work of Barbara Savoldo, MD, PhD.
Chase Jones was a freshman at UNC-Chapel Hill when he was diagnosed with stage IV brain cancer. After being successfully treated at UNC Lineberger, he started his own non-profit organization called the Vs. Cancer Foundation with the goal of fundraising for pediatric cancer research and supporting the needs of patients and families during treatment. Since 2013, Vs. Cancer has generously granted UNC Lineberger more than $245,000, including the most recent gift of $115,000 to support UNC pediatric cellular immunotherapy trials and research, and specifically, the work of Barbara Savoldo, MD, PhD.
Chase, tell us why you’ve expanded the scope of Vs. Cancer research funding to include pediatric immunotherapy.
It’s very rewarding to me to be able to give back through Vs. Cancer to the cancer center that saved my life. Knowing that UNC Lineberger, where I was treated, is a public hospital that serves everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, is really amazing, because it’s one of the best research facilities in the world. Immunotherapy is a promising tool that will provide hope to many pediatric cancer patients who have no other treatment options, and as a cancer survivor, it’s humbling to play a role in Dr. Savoldo’s research to help these kids.
Dr. Savoldo, what does it mean to be able to offer immunotherapy treatment here in North Carolina?
Patients can be treated closer to their home, which lightens the load for the entire family, both financially and emotionally. It is always a struggle for parents to stay with their sick child during therapies while they try to continue working to financially support the needs of the other members of the family; having to travel to another state for treatment only compounds that problem. Treatment at UNC also makes life easier during a very difficult diagnosis, enabling loved ones to provide the emotional support system that is particularly critical for the family, including hospital visits, home-cooked meals, housekeeping, childcare and transportation for siblings.
Chase, in addition to this research gift, you’ve also made a very generous donation through Vs. Cancer to replace/repair items in the N.C. Cancer Hospital Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Clinic.
Our whole goal for Vs. Cancer is to fund local research and to help kids have the best experience possible in the Peds Oncology Clinic. Part of our gift will be used for up-fitting the technology that operates interactive games in the clinic waiting room. We’re also repairing the clinic’s kid-sized racecar so children can continue to play, have fun and, as much as possible, enjoy their visit to the N.C. Cancer Hospital. To think that we can help provide a positive environment for children who are going through this disease is extremely rewarding.
Dr. Savoldo, what kind of impact do donors like Chase Jones and Vs. Cancer have on your research?
Although we have made great progress in treating certain pediatric cancers like leukemia, there is still much work to do in our fight against resistant solid tumors in children. However, childhood cancer research is vastly underfunded, which is a tragedy, as these children have their entire lives ahead of them. As a researcher, I see this not only as a challenge, but also, as an opportunity to help save lives. Philanthropic support from donors like Chase Jones and Vs. Cancer will help in translating our continuous lab discoveries and studies into the clinic as cures for children.