September 19, 2024
Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC
Please visit our sponsor tables on the first floor. Booths are along the Promenade and in the Cabinet Room.
BRAINSTORM FOR BEGINNERS – South Carolina Room -If this is your first time attending the BrainStorm Summit—or even your first cancer-related event—we understand you might be wondering what to expect. We’re here to help! We invite you to join our seasoned experts in a special session designed just for newcomers. You’ll be paired to knowegeable peers who can guide you through the event, answer any questions you may have, and ensure you make the most of your experience. Whether you’re here to learn, network, or contribute to important conversations, we’re excited to have you with us.
Presented by: Mary Ann Laubacher, Lynda Poole, Barbara Anderson: with Lisa Ward, Silvia Halek, Tyler Moore, Misha Mehta and Ginny McLean
Understanding Pediatric Brain Tumors –
Real Talk by Nicole Lyons, Columbia University;
South Carolina Room
This session will provide foundational understanding for the expected speaker topics during the summit. Nikki explains in real terms the cells within the brain structure and how cancer integrates with the healthy brain. Receive a glossary of terms and diagrams to orient those who are not medical professionals to the topics presented during the BrainStorm Summit.
Special Guest Leia Hunt: “What is Cancer?” a special discussion for Kids & Teachers
Welcome and Opening Remarks
KEYNOTE I: Immunotherapy Going Viral: Advances in Oncolytic Virotherapy for Pediatric Brain Tumors. The talk will highlight how oncolytic virotherapy can be utilized to overcome the challenges posed by pediatric brain tumors for the development of an effective immunotherapy. Progress to date, ongoing challenges, and future directions in oncolytic virotherapy research will be discussed.
Presented by: Dr. Greg Friedman, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Advocate Workshop: Your Unique Story Matters. An interactive session on developing a story that reaches across audiences. Develop your advocacy toolkit and be coached by “insiders” who see how things actually get done.
Presented in the Chinese Ballroom by:
Ginny McLean, Board Chair, CAC2 / Program Director Gift from a Child
Ann Ramer,
Bobbi Krabill
Aubrey Reichard -Eline
Leia Hunt, Leia’s Kids Foundation
Grand Ballroom
Advance Topics in Cell Metabolism
This session explores how cellular metabolism drives pediatric brain tumor growth, highlighting unique metabolic profiles and innovative therapeutic strategies targeting these altered pathways to improve outcomes in childhood brain cancers.
Presented by:
– Dr. Sameer Agnihotri, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Moderator
– Dr. Daniel Wahl, M.D., Ph.D, University of Michigan
– Dr. Pavithra Viswanath, PhD, University of California, San Francisco
– Dr. Laura Hsieh, PhD, TippingPoint Biosciences
Chinese Ballroom
Navigating a Cancer Diagnosis with Children, Teens and Young Adults – How to talk with the patient, the siblings and open up communication.
Presented by:
– Dr. David Korones, MD, Pediatric Neuro-Oncologist/Palliative Care, University of Rochester
– Dr. Jessica Schulte, MD, Neuro-Oncologist, UC – San Diego
– Jen Thomas, BS, CCRP, Childhood Cancer Survivor, employed at University of Michigan
– Lauren Kirages, My DIPG Navigator
South Carolina Room
Improving Quality Of Life Roundtable
Presented by:
Robin French, The Morgan Adams Foundation, Moderator
– Steve Cones, Captial Healing
– Tracy Quisenberry, CEO Icing Smiles, Inc. – – Heather Roy, BHS, Executive Director Radflix
– Will Meeker, Founder, Braden James Foundation
– Pradeep Singh, Bublup, Inc.
Rhode Island Room
Fighting Brain Cancer with The Best Options: Explore the Services and Proof of Concepts with Updates from DIPG-OneLink.org; My DIPG Navigator; DIPG DMG National Brain Tumor Board; LiveBrave2gether.
Presented by:
Becky Handley, moderator
– Ann Friedholm, ChadTough-Defeat DIPG
-Adam Green, Children’s Hospital of Colorado
-Raegen Sieck, Lucy Love
Refreshment Break in Foyer
Please enjoy refreshments and visit our sponsor booths.
Grand Ballroom
Advances Topics in Immunotherapies
This session explores innovative therapies for childhood brain cancers, featuring Dr. Alonso’s work on oncolytic virotherapy and Dr. Ligon’s development of personalized mRNA vaccines with a unique multi-lamellar structure, both aiming to enhance immune system activation against these aggressive tumors.
Presented by:
Dr. Greg Friedman, MD, Moderator, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
– Dr. Marta Alonso Roldan, MD, University of Navarra, Spain
– Dr. John Ligon, MD University of Florida
Chinese Ballroom
A Special Session with Tenderness: A Time for Early Grief.
Messages of hope and a place to connect.
Presented by:
Lynda Poole, Bereaved Mother, Tough2gether Foundation-Moderator
– Kristy Wallmo, Bereaved Mother and Author
– Janell Royer, Bereaved Mother, Brave Like McKenna Foundation
– Ellyn Miller, Bereaved Mother, Smashing Walnuts
South Carolina Room
Challenges Caused by A Cancer Diagnosis for Teens and Young Adults Navigating in Education, Workplace and Relationships during the Fight and into Survivorship
Presented by:
Dr. Jessica Schulte, MD moderator
– Leia Hunt, Childhood Cancer Survivor, Founder of Leia’s Kids Foundation
– Nikki Lyons, two time kidney transplant survivor and academic accessibility advocate at Columbia University
– Jen Thomas, Childhood Cancer Survivor employed at University of Michigan
– Cole Eicher, Childhood Cancer Survivor and co-founder of American Cancer Society Gold Together for Pediatric Cancer.
Rhode Island Room
SPOTLIGHT – 2:45 – 3:10
Chimerix Advancing Cancer Research in Brain Cancer and Providing Investigational Drug Options for Cancer
SPOTLIGHT – 3:15 – 3:40
Spotlight: Day One Biopharmaceuticals: Advancing Pediatric Cancer Research and Drug Development Through Multistakeholder Collaboration
Grand Ballroom
Advances in Effective Drug Delivery
This session examines innovative strategies to improve drug delivery for childhood brain cancers, focusing on overcoming the blood-brain barrier through advancements in nanotechnology, focused ultrasound, and personalized medicine.
Presented by:
– Dr. Lauren Powlovich, MD Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Moderator
– Dr. Cheng Chia (Fred) Wu, MD, PhD Children’s National Hospital
– Dr. Adam Green, MD Children’s Hospital of Colorado
Chinese Ballroom
Toolkit for Children & Teens Experiencing Sibling Grief
Presented by:
– Sahil Mehta, Bereaved Sibling Neev Kolte Brave Ronil Foundation
– Megan Thomas, Tough2gether Foundation
– Heather Roy, BHS, Team Evelyn Foundation
South Carolina Room
Challenges of Aging Out of Pediatrics
Presented by:
– Dr. Jessica Schulte, MD
– Rachel McCollum, survivor
– Jen Thomas, survivor
– Robin French, Morgan Adams Foundation
Rhode Island Room
Federal Legislative: Important Pending Federal Legislation and How You Can Help Us Push It Forward
Presented by:
Moderated by Vickie Buenger, CAC2
– Ellyn Miller, Smashing Walnuts
– Nancy Goodman, Kids v. Cancer
– Keith Desserich, Cure Starts Now
– Emma Strong, Rally Foundation
CHINESE BALLROOM
Keynote II: Lessons from The Grieving Room
In a world that wants to minimize our sorrow, Author Leanne Friesen shows us we can learn to give ourselves and others grieving room.Leanne Friesen, Author
South Carolina Room
xCures Demo with Cancer Commons
4:50 – 5:10
Come and see how you can help move the needle with access to provided patient data curated for use by physicians, researchers and patients. Here about the challenges ahead for patients who want to share direct access to data and the right to share it and how you can help.
Presented by:
Tim Stuhlmiller, PhD, xCures
– Mark Shapiro, xCures
– Marty Tennenbaum, Cancer Commons
South Carolina Room
Scientific MatchUp 5:10 – 5:30
We encourage our scientists in academia and industry and research funders to gather for an informal networking to discuss how new developments of a colleague at the BrainStorm Summit could be the next collaboration with your research, consider clinical trial opportunities and diagnostic options to investigate. At the BrainStorm Summit new ideas take shape and they start with us.
Hosted by:
– Misha Mehta, PhD, Neev Kolte Brave Ronil Foundation
– Adam Green, MD Children’s Hospital of Colorado
– Cheng Chia (Fred) Wu MD, PhD, Children’s National Hospital
– Nikki Lyons, Columbia University.
Sleep Well – Registration and Breakfast start Friday at 7:00 am