I rode my first PMC in 2018. On my way to the Cape, I rode through a section of the route that had poster-sized pictures of children that were under the Dana Farber's care. It took my breath away.
I didn't know it at the time, but just a few months later, my niece Willa would be diagnosed with a low grade glioma and her picture would join those of the other children's images lining the road. Although I am a career cancer biologist and researcher, this event was a turning point for me; I approached the 2019 PMC with a deeply personal and urgent motivation. I knew the funds we raised would be turned into scientific discoveries, but I also knew that it would take time.
When we talk about “scientific discovery“, it often conjures images of Gary Larson characters, bespectacled and exclaiming “eureka” to their microscope. Eureka moments do happen, but the types of discoveries that lead to cancer therapies are not singular; they are hard fought, often incremental in nature and take place over many years in a wandering path full of starts and stops.
The recent FDA approval of tovorafenib for a genetic subset of pediatric low grade glioma is an illustrative example; this drug was originally intended for an adult cancer. But after years of work, it was effectively thrown away by one company before a small group of scientists brought it back and founded a start up to develop it for our kids. It is a product of grit, perseverance and the culmination of a number of scientific discoveries, as well as a few important scientific careers (Mark and Sam). It isn’t an unusual path for a therapeutic.
This is the reality of scientific progress—it takes time, committment and unwavering support. We need your support for the long run, not just today. Tovorafenib is a shining example of the fruits of your support, but unfortunately it isn’t a therapy that Willa can benefit from, the genetics of her tumor requires a different approach.
Right now, there is a lab at the Dana Farber working on a therapeutic solution for Willa’s specific disease, a project that gets directly funded by the PMC.
Now, I ride my 7th PMC, Willa is approaching an age where she has had a brain tumor for half of her life. Will you join us for 2024?
