In 2017, Press On Fund combined forces with Target Pediatric AML (TpAML), a grass roots collaborative funding initiative led by fellow AML parent, Julie Guillot, and others to identify, fund, and accelerate the #1 priority research project for AML patients ages 0-35. TpAML was endorsed by the Children’s Oncology Group as the “highest potential, greatest need” for pediatric AML research. As a result of this initiative, it is our honor to share with you that every child newly diagnosed with AML is now receiving Foundation Medicine genomic sequencing.

Determined to move the needle beyond the current standard of care for AML patients aged 0 – 35 and armed with the success of TpAML, in 2020, Guillot convinced the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) to step up its game and do something for pediatric acute leukemias that had never been done before. LLS responded by promising to do better for pediatric leukemias. No longer was LLS satisfied with the standard one-size-fits-all, hand-me-down approach of retro-fitting adult cancer treatments for children.

To fulfill this promise, LLS is breaking down institutional silos and bridging global regulatory divides with this first of its kind global precision medicine master clinical trial, PedAL, a $68.7 million initiative that will test multiple targeted therapies simultaneously at up to 200 clinical sites worldwide for patients with acute leukemias in the 0 – 35 age group. The real time result of this global master clinical trial is that it fast forwards the ability for researchers to collect data within a few short years instead of the current decades-long pace. This represents one of the most optimistic paradigm shifts for pediatric acute leukemias.

“Our goal is no less than a wholesale shift in the standard of care for pediatric patients, moving from toxic chemotherapies that leave survivors with lifelong health challenges to effective, safe treatments that precisely target cancer without harm to the rest of the child’s body,” Gwen Nichols, MD, LLS Chief Medical Officer

Based upon Press On Fund’s 2020 grant of $100,000, LLS recently recognized Press On, (that’s YOU) as a Founding Partner in its PedAL initiative. LLS reached out to Press On in July 2021 and requested an additional $100,000 from Press On in 2021.

It is an exciting time to be funding this research and a meaningful time as we hope that PedAL will translate into safer, targeted treatments for children without the lifelong health challenges that Brennan continues to face due the toxicity he received. While we celebrate 10 years of remission for Brennan this year and watch him go off to college, we want to make treatments safer for future generations and hope that you will continue to be inspired to give for this initiative.

2025 Impact Report
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