Frederico Goldsztein, now 17, was diagnosed with a life-altering brain tumor called Medulloblastoma at the age of nine, the most common brain cancer for children. His father, Fernando Goldsztein, described the diagnosis as one of the worst things a parent can hear, especially for a child who has their whole life ahead of them. Determined to find a cure and minimize the side effects of treatment, Fernando travelled from Brazil to the U.S. to seek help at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C. Unfortunately, Frederico relapsed in 2019, prompting Fernando to team up with leading specialists to form the Medulloblastoma Initiative.
The Medulloblastoma Initiative was created to focus specifically on finding new approaches and therapies for children with this deadly form of brain cancer. Dr. Roger Packer, the Director of the Brain Tumor Program at Children’s National Medical Center, explained that the goal was to develop better therapies quicker, as current treatments often leave children with lifelong cognitive and developmental problems. The Initiative is on the verge of two FDA-approved treatments that could potentially result in a cure and fewer side effects for children facing treatment, using methods such as changing the immunology of the tumor with vaccines like the mRNA technology used for creating the COVID vaccine.
Medulloblastoma accounts for 20% of all childhood brain tumors and 500 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. The current treatment was developed in the 1980s, and the hope is that with the breakthroughs being made by the Medulloblastoma Initiative, many children will have access to novel therapies in the near future. Dr. Packer expressed optimism that these treatments will soon be approved and available, providing hope for families facing this devastating diagnosis. Every dollar raised for research contributes to this effort, as they continue to work towards finding a cure for children with Medulloblastoma.
Fernando Goldsztein emphasized the importance of support and people coming together to help all children affected by Medulloblastoma. Many families see the Medulloblastoma Initiative as their only hope for finding a cure for their children, as they currently have limited options for effective treatment. By contributing to this cause, individuals can make a tangible impact on the scientific research behind finding a cure for this deadly form of brain cancer. Fernando acknowledged the long road ahead, but remains committed to helping all children facing this diagnosis and ensuring they have access to the best possible treatments.
Fernando Goldsztein’s journey to find a cure for his son Frederico’s Medulloblastoma has led to the development of the Medulloblastoma Initiative, a collaborative effort between leading specialists and researchers. Through this Initiative, they are working towards FDA-approved treatments that could potentially result in a cure and minimize side effects for children facing treatment for this deadly form of brain cancer. The ultimate goal of the Initiative is to provide hope to families facing this diagnosis and ensure that children have access to innovative therapies that can improve their outcomes and quality of life. Every donation made towards scientific research contributes to this important work and helps to advance the efforts to find a cure for Medulloblastoma.
