Pediatric Cancer Research

Testimonials

The support of the Canuso Foundation has been instrumental in helping the Cancer Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to achieve its broad mission. One of the bases of that mission is the delivery of "Total Care". By this is meant that the emotional and practical needs of all members of the family must be included when planning the care for a sick child. The pioneering, invaluable support provided by the Canuso family in building the first Ronald McDonald House is an expression of Total Care, as is their direct involvement in the construction of the later McDonald Houses. Likewise, the financial assistance by the Canuso Foundation has strengthened the late follow-up program at CHOP. Here the cured child is looked after as he or she becomes a teenager and young adult. This is most certainly an important facet of Total Care.

The funding provided by the Canuso Foundation is immeasurably helpful because it is flexible. As past Cancer Center Director, I know how valuable it is to have money that can be directed to programs according to need, unlike the rigidity of grant-supported activities.

The Canusos throughout the years have, however, kept their eyes on the ball; that is, helping to find new and more effective means of fighting childhood cancer. This they have done by providing continuing funding for the innovative research in the childhood leukemias underway at CHOP. It was the malignant disease their daughter, Babe, contracted; though cured of leukemia she succumbed eventually to complications after many years. Her medical history personified the validity of the Total Care concept: the need for better initial treatment to avoid long-term adversities, and the need for continuing follow-up of the adult the cured child becomes.

The Canusos have been in the front line, fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with the physicians, nurses, scientists and social workers in the battle against childhood cancer. It is thus with a deep, personal sense of gratitude that the contributions made by the Canuso Foundation to the advancement of pediatric oncology are acknowledged.

Giulio J. D'Angio, M .D.
Professor of Radiation Oncology,
Pediatrics and Radiology (Emeritus)
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA