Emily Whitehead Foundation

It has been eight years since we first launched the Emily Whitehead Foundation! As the foundation continues to grow, our mission to help families #ActivateTheCure remains central to everything we do. Today, we are thrilled to release a new video that captures the commitment of our team, our board of directors, our dedicated volunteers, and our family to fulfill that quest. 🎥 Tell Us GmbH (Marwin Gansauge) Tom Whitehead Kari Whitehead George Eastwood Amanda Hunt Jodie Potter Jon Condo Tom Smith Tom Garrett #EmilyWhiteheadFoundation #cartcelltherapy #patientadvocacy #childhoodcancer #immunotherapy #patientstories #cellandgenetherapy #nonprofit #cancerresearch #writeabetterstory

On this day of reflection and gratitude, we are so grateful for the support we receive that helps give more patients access to life-changing advanced therapies and support on their care journeys. Thanksgiving is a reminder of the power of generosity, and we give thanks to our supporters, donors, board members, staff, volunteers, partners and advocates for their commitment to our mission. Together, we will continue to #ActivatetheCure so tens of thousands more patients can survive and thrive.

We are continuing our “Warrior Wednesday” series with Tori Lee, who has been cancer-free for over 11 years! After starting kindergarten, Victoria “Tori” Lee was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at just five years old. She began standard treatment and relapsed during the maintenance stage. She underwent two more years of treatment before relapsing again in November 2012. While preparing for a bone marrow transplant (BMT), Tori’s family discovered the CAR-T clinical trial at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Fearful that the extreme nature of a BMT might be too much for Tori’s weakened body, the Lee’s fought for their daughter to be accepted into the study. Tori became patient #10 in the CART19 clinical trial and received her T-cells in April 2013. She went into full remission and has been cancer-free for over 11 years! Since receiving CAR-T, Tori has gone on to play sports, lifeguard the beaches of the Jersey shore and graduate high school. She is currently in her junior year at UNC Chapel Hill studying health policy. The Foundation was honored to have Tori serve as a Warrior Emcee at our 2024 Believe Ball. Help support the Foundation’s mission to give more patients like Tori a renewed chance at life by making a donation on Giving Tuesday. Every donation makes an even bigger impact thanks to a generous match donation by the Wilson Foundation. Donate today: https://lnkd.in/eu5wiKs

‘Tis the season of giving 💜 Save the date for Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3 and join us in Activating the Cure. Giving Tuesday is a global movement celebrating the power of generosity to create a better world. By making a contribution to the Emily Whitehead Foundation, you are helping to support more patients and their caregivers affected by childhood diseases and advocate for all patients who can be treated with advanced therapies. Only 20% of patients who qualify for advanced therapies currently have access to these life-saving treatments. Together, we can ensure that every patient has access as we work toward a cancer-free future. Your donation will have an even bigger impact thanks to a generous match donation from the Wilson Foundation. Now through the end of the year, every donation made to the Foundation will be matched (up to $100,000), doubling your impact! Donate today or save the date and give on Dec. 3! https://lnkd.in/eu5wiKs

On this Medal Monday, we are celebrating our 2024 Philadelphia Team EWF runners! Thank you to all our runners for joining us in Philadelphia over the weekend to run for a reason! We are sincerely grateful for your support in our mission to #ActivatetheCure for more patients to have access to life-changing advanced therapies and support on their care journeys. Congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment!

We had an incredible time returning to the Big Apple for our second year participating in the TCS New York City Marathon! The clear skies and perfect temperatures provided the ideal race day weather for our team of six exceptional runners. Each runner showcased their strength and determination to #ActivateTheCure for more patients to have access to life-changing advanced therapies along their treatment journeys. “The crowds, beautiful weather, and, of course, our amazing charity team made this a memory of a lifetime for me,” Emily Whitehead Foundation team runner Nick Hubal said. Thanks to our amazing team of runners and generous donors, we raised over $31,000 toward our mission of creating a brighter future for patients and their caregivers. It’s not too late to support our runners! Donations will be accepted through Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024. All donations made during this time will be generously matched by the Wilson Foundation. Donate today: https://lnkd.in/eu5wiKs

We are continuing our “Warrior Wednesday” series with Beaudin Larrabee, who has been cancer-free for over three years! When Beaudin Larrabee was six years old, a series of fevers and hospitalizations led to him being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Beaudin initially responded well to standard treatment before relapsing. On a family vacation before Beaudin began relapse protocol treatment, his mother discovered the Emily Whitehead Foundation. The Foundation helped Beaudin enroll in a CAR-T clinical trial at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for CNS-only relapse patients. Beaudin received his CAR-T cells in March 2021. Despite the cells starting to fade at Day 28, Beaudin’s cancer did not return. He joined the huCART trial at CHOP and received his cells in August 2021. Those cells stayed for four months before beginning to fade in early 2022. His family took a “watchful waiting” approach, and Beaudin now celebrates over three years being cancer-free! Today, Beaudin is a 12-year-old All-American seventh grader who loves baseball, Fortnite and his beloved dog, Hatchet. He is always excited to try new things and recently joined his school’s cross-country team and became the school’s mascot. Read more about Beaudin’s journey and his road to CAR-T therapy: https://lnkd.in/eranw6H4

We are continuing our Board Member Spotlight series with board member Jodie Potter! Jodie is a founding board member and has been with the Emily Whitehead Foundation since its inception. She also serves as the Foundation’s Race Coordinator. Jodie’s son, Corban Potter, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was two years old. On his treatment journey, Tom and Kari Whitehead helped the Potter family navigate the unknowns that come with a child’s cancer diagnosis. When the Whiteheads established the Foundation, Jodie wanted to get involved to help bring hope to patients and caregivers on their treatment journey. Corban is now over 12 years cancer free! Throughout her years as a board member, Jodie is most proud of the personal connections she has been able to make. She is also proud of the growing marathon program and her independent fundraisers, including the Philipsburg Turkey Trot and bake sales that have been both fun and impactful. Jodie is a self-described encourager and aims to make the Foundation’s team and supporters feel appreciated. As a founding board member, she helps to ensure that the Foundation maintains its roots as it continues to grow. “I am so thankful for those who came before us to find ways to take care of kids with cancer, but we still have work to do. My hope is that the work we do will make someone else’s journey brighter in the future.”

Congratulations to our 2024 Nicole Gularte Fight for Cures Embassador Awardee Amber K. Hamilton, PhD! In 2021, the Foundation established the Nicole Gularte Fight for Cures Embassador Award to support the work of young researchers in the field of cellular-based pediatric cancer treatments who exemplify Nicole’s fighting spirit. Dr. Hamilton is a postdoctoral fellow at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Drs. John M. Maris’ and Sharon J. Diskin’s laboratories. She was selected for her research in translational immunology for childhood cancers and will receive a $50,000 research grant with sponsorship from Cytiva. The funding will support Dr. Hamilton’s work in the development and pre-clinical testing of immunotherapies targeting a new cell surface protein, with the goal of moving into clinical trial. “My grandfather, Emily, all the CAR-T Warriors, and the patients we could not cure, including Nicole, inspire me to dedicate my life to fighting for cures, especially for pediatric patients,” said Dr. Hamilton when she accepted the award at the Foundation’s 2024 Believe Ball. Read more about Dr. Hamilton: https://lnkd.in/eysFRpXx

On this Medal Monday, we are celebrating our 2024 TCS New York City Marathon Team EWF runners! Thank you to all our runners for sharing their New York City Marathon journey with us over the weekend! We are so proud of you and are deeply grateful for your belief in our mission. Your support makes it possible for more patients to have access to life-changing advanced therapies and support along their care journeys. Congratulations to everyone for crossing the finish line!