ISF Intern teams were challenged with creating a 7 day social media rare pediatric campaign to help raise awareness. Each team was assigned with a designated rare cancer and responsible for conducting research, creating a storyboard and plan, developing daily educational graphics and content.
Congrats to Team Happy Feet for bringing in the win for this 2-week creative challenge. Happy Feet provided the most detailed and organized research and planning with a good mixture of visual elements and educational detail.
Team Happy Feet Rare Pediatric Cancer Campaign: #BlastAwayNeuroblastoma
Intern Lead: Emily Mecia, UNC
Synopsis Sunday
It’s Synopsis Sunday! Today we’re giving you a glimpse on what each day of this week holds.
Neuroblastoma is a type of rare pediatric cancer that originates in nerve cells, typically of young children. While it may be considered rare, neuroblastoma is still the third most common type of pediatric cancer. This week, we will teach you about neuroblastoma and its effects on children and families. Each day of this week has a special theme to accomplish this goal. We hope that by the end of this week you will see why it’s so important to #BlastAwayNeuroblastoma and that you’ll consider donating to help make this happen.
Message Monday
It’s Message Monday! Today we’re introducing you to neuroblastoma and some statistics about it.
Neuroblastoma is a rare pediatric cancer that develops primarily in infants and children below the age of 5. This cancer begins with a neuroblast, which is when a young cell mutates, then aggressively grows and forms a cancerous tumor. The first symptoms of neuroblastoma are often vague, which is why it’s usually difficult to diagnose at first. However, when it is diagnosed, it has often already spread to numerous other places in the body. In fact, 70% of cases are diagnosed after they have already spread, therefore classifying neuroblastoma as a stage 4 cancer. The 5-year survival rate for stage 4 neuroblastoma is 30%.
More research and funds are needed to help the 800 kids who are diagnosed with neuroblastoma in the US each year. Neuroblastoma has some of the lowest survival rates of all pediatric cancers, especially if a child has relapsed. Please donate to DonateISF.org to help expand the scope of research and treatment options for these children and #BlastAwayNeuroblastoma altogether!
Talking Tuesday
It’s Talking Tuesday! Today we’re here to talk to you about two families who were impacted by cancer.
Each year 800 children are diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. In 2018, Brinn Andrew was diagnosed with stage 3 Neuroblastoma and has been in remission since June 2020. In 2012, Emily Miller was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma. She endured an aggressive relapse, but has thankfully been in remission for the past 3 years.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family is affected. They suffer the stress, anxiety, and constant fear, even after their child is placed in remission.
Today we look at the Andrew family and the Miller family and see how cancer has affected their family.
ISF has offered continued support to both of these families and many others who have been affected by rare pediatric cancer. Through your donations, ISF can continue to help families like the Andrews and the Millers. Please donate to DonateISF.org to help expand the scope of research and treatment options for these children and help us #BlastAwayNeuroblastoma!
What to Do Wednesday
It’s What to Do Wednesday! Today we’re encouraging you to act by making a donation at DonateISF.org.
When you donate to the Isabella Santos Foundation, your money becomes part of something much bigger. You are supporting Isabella’s dreams- to beat her cancer, grow her hair, and live her dreams. The Isabella Santos Foundation is key in giving children around the country a fighting chance against Neuroblastoma, by building state of the art treatment facilities, funding clinical trials, recruiting top doctors, and making sure that the families affected by cancer are as comfortable as possible. We know that we can help kids beat this disease, but we can’t do it alone. We need all the help we can get, from people like you. Your contribution, however big or small, helps move us one step closer to a day when rare cancers like Neuroblastoma are treatable and survivable. Help us #BlastAwayNeuroblastoma by making a donation at DonateISF.org
Thriving Thursday
It’s Thriving Thursday! Here’s a glimpse at how ISF is helping the community thrive.
Over the years, the Isabella Santos Foundation has helped to bring so much good back into the community. In 2018, the MIBG Therapy Suite at Levine’s Children Hospital vision became a reality. This treatment helped Isabella live longer and will continue to help others with cancers affecting the endocrine system, like neuroblastoma. Their tailored experience helps children feel as close to home as possible, and includes a suite where their family can stay overnight. The MIBG Therapy Suite has a lead lined room for treatment administration. The I – 131 MIBG is a radioactive isotope treatment inserted into the vein for targeted entry. Isabella Santos Foundation’s help doesn’t stop there.
Alongside the MIBG Therapy Suite, ISF has also helped fund clinical trials, research, and even partnered with OneBlood to open a blood center in 2017. This funding isn’t possible without you so please donate to DonateISF.org to help ISF continue to thrive and #BlastAwayNeuroblastoma altogether!
Future Friday
It’s Future Friday! Today, we’re taking a look at how ISF plans to help children with rare cancers in the future.
The Isabella Santos Foundation has already made such an incredible impact on neuroblastoma research and treatment in the past. However, ISF has future plans that will continue to transform the scope of research and treatment for all rare pediatric cancers. ISF has committed to donating $5 million to the Levine Children’s Hospital to create the ISF Rare & Solid Tumor Program. This program, led by Dr. Sholler, who has been involved in neuroblastoma trials in the past, will be the first rare pediatric cancer program in the entire country. It will oversee all care for solid tumors, rare tumors, MIBG therapy and related clinical trials and research to find cures for children who are affected by rare pediatric cancers.
The future of pediatric cancer research is dependent on donations and funding. By donating to ISF, you are helping an incredible organization that is dedicated to finding a cure and helping children who are battling rare cancers. Please visit DonateISF.org to make ISF’s future plans become a reality. #BlastAwayNeuroblastoma
Say it Again Saturday
It’s Say it Again Saturday! Today we’re recapping important information about neuroblastoma from this week.
Neuroblastoma is the third most common type of pediatric cancer and approximately 800 children are diagnosed with it each year. Isabella Santos passed away from neuroblastoma at age 7. Isabella’s dream was to beat cancer, grow hair, and live her dreams. ISF honors her dream in everything they do. ISF has helped numerous children and families who have been impacted by neuroblastoma and other rare pediatric cancers.
ISF has already made a tremendous impact in the community and has promising plans to continue doing this in the future. ISF funded and built the MIBG Therapy Suite at Levine Children’s Hospital as a way for children with neuroblastoma to have a safer, more effective treatment that’s also close to home. ISF has also partnered with OneBlood to open blood centers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant wishes to children with cancer, and with doctors and hospitals to conduct research and clinical trials.
ISF has promised $5 million to Levine to build the ISF Rare and Solid Tumor Program, the very first program for rare pediatric cancers in the entire country. This will help so many children in the future.
Please consider making a donation to DonateISF.org to help children who are battling cancer. We need your help to expand research and treatment options for pediatric cancers. With your help, we hope to one day #BlastAwayNeuroblastoma and other rare pediatric cancers once and for all.
Below are samples of Team Happy Feet’s campaign graphics.
