Our family had the honor and privilege of spending a very rewarding day with the
BeatNb.org team yesterday at their main research laboratory in Grand Rapids, Michigan. To put it in context,
the BeatNb organization is the national leader in the research and trials behind the DFMO drug that Caroline takes daily to hopefully prevent her cancer from relapsing. DFMO attacks the root of the Neuroblastoma cells, so they don't ever have a chance the turn into harmful and deadly cancer cells. DFMO has shown significant improvement in survival rates of patients that are on the trial and have no evidence of active disease as noted in this link:
beatnb.org/dfmopaper.
Lead researcher for the DFMO trial, Dr. Giselle Sholler, and her team members, took us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the DFMO Lab, as well as The Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Oncology outpatient and inpatient clinics. We were joined by the entire BeatNb team (Pat, Kyle, Robyn, Charlie, AJ, Savannah and Yvette), as well as fellow advocates and partners (the creators of "Love Your Melon" were there!). All convening from various parts of the country, we remained together all day and ended with great testimonials and conversations over dinner! Seeing the research lab first-hand, and witnessing how the teams are diligently testing cancer treatments...trying to find a CURE for these amazing kids that are battling this horrible disease, was an educational and truly moving experience.
A heartfelt thank you to our amazing friends Katie R., Ellen P., and Steve R., for each pointing us in Dr. Sholler's direction, back in November 2017, at the start of this journey. Our goal from Caroline's initial diagnosis week was to get to clear scans and successfully enroll in the DFMO clinical trial at the end of standard treatment.
She did it! We met that goal, and we will do everything we can to advocate and support others who can benefit from this promising drug.
Feeling Blessed!
The Lantz Family
#carolinestrong
#ftgf
#wewillbeatnb
Caroline looking at active Neuroblastoma cells!
Thumbs up for trying to cure cancer!
Each vial contains the donated cells of individual Neuroblastoma patients.
Caroline and Dr. Sholler!
