A collaborative effort between The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center and Duke Children’s Hospital removes traditional systemic barriers for families to access complex pediatric brain tumor treatment. As a result, children and families worldwide have access to potentially life-saving care at Duke.
“The first step is getting kids to us,” says David M. Ashley, PhD, FRACP, MBBS (Hons), pediatric neuro-oncologist and director of The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center. “Money and geography shouldn’t be barriers for any child to receive timely treatment — so we created a program that provides families with financial resources and support to get the care they need.”
Once at Duke, children have access to innovative clinical trials and expert pediatric neurosurgery and neuro-oncology teams equipped to diagnose and manage advanced pediatric brain tumor cases.
“We’re successfully treating brain and spinal cord tumors in children and young adults, which are deemed untreatable by other centers,” says Gerald A. Grant, MD, pediatric neurosurgeon and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery.
Supported by the generous philanthropy of the Business Executive Committee of The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Ashley and his team established Destination Hope. In just a few years, the program has helped over 250 families cover the cost of travel, lodging, and clinical care.