Category Archives: Pediatric Cancer

We need more than just research

A mother noticed that her six year-old son’s eyelids were not closing normally and when he walked, he was slightly off balance.  A few days later, his parents’ worst nightmare became a reality; they were told that their son has … Continue reading

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Epilogue -Childhood Cancer, My Road Map Series

Five weeks ago I set out to create what I think is part of the road map for the issues facing the fight against childhood cancer, and the areas I feel could provide gains on this road. The truth is, … Continue reading

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Bringing Us All Together – Part 4

From my earliest entree into blogging in my daughter Alexis’ journal, I learned quickly that the childhood cancer community was a very disorganized and dis-unified group of entities and individuals who all had the same ultimate goal: a cure. I always … Continue reading

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Welcome!

Welcome to Four Square Clobbers Cancer! Four-Square Clobbers Cancer is a conversational blog that is dedicated to improving the outcomes of children, adolescents, and young adults who are being treated or have been treated for cancer.  The goal is to inform, … Continue reading

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Federal Funding for Childhood Cancer Research – Part 3

This is part 3 of the Jonathan Agin series, “Childhood Cancer – My Road Map” Money makes the world go ’round. Or so we are told. Certainly for medical research, this is true. And, for the childhood cancer community, it … Continue reading

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The FDA and Childhood Cancer – Part 2

This is part 2 of the Jonathan Agin series, “Childhood Cancer – My Road Map” Being sent to an emergency room to have a CT scan performed on your two-year-old child is frightening. Being brought into a small cramped room … Continue reading

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One Son and Two Cancers: A journey, a lesson, a mission

2/9/2020 Update: In September 2019 , Steven was recently diagnosed with two more cancers (now, the total is four) and is now fighting Renal Cell Carcinoma and a Soft Tissue Sarcoma. He is currently in treatment. This story will introduce … Continue reading

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Engaging the Pharmaceutical Industry – Part 1

This is beginning of a four part series by Jonathan Agin, an attorney and well known childhood cancer advocate (www.jonathanagin.com) in Washington, DC. He is married to Neely Agin and is the father of Alexis, Gabriel Agin and Trevor Agin. Alexis was … Continue reading

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The Funding Conundrum for Pediatric Cancer

My grandson, at 15 months of age, was diagnosed with high risk neuroblastoma. He is a survivor.  Although, he  endured an incredible six year long journey, this story is not about him,  his family, the changes in their lives, or … Continue reading

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Give me a big bottle of that stuff!

About this time 12 years ago, I was working on forming a reunion of people who had worked at Roses Stores, a southeastern chain of discount stores. Out of the blue, I walked back into Marion, VA, a wonderful small … Continue reading

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Effective Public Speaking 101

Want to spread the word about how rare childhood cancer is?  Even if you are afraid to talk in front of a group of people, you can do this without giving a big speech!  This is how to give an … Continue reading

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We are Soldiers of Cancer

Behind every soldier there is a family who makes sacrifices so their spouse, father or mother can serve our great country.  Ryan’s family is one such family.  Even in the shadow of pain and adversity, they are giving back to … Continue reading

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Tissue Donation – The last thing any parent wants to give

Progress, unfortunately is sometimes forged from the fires of pain mixed with strength, courage, passion and determination.  Nancy Goodman has such a story.  Nancy made a donation that no parent ever wants to give.   “My son, Jacob, was a beautiful, … Continue reading

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Cancer Drug’s Valley of Death – Where is it, What is it?

To truly understand the problems with development of drugs specific to childhood cancer, and rare disease in general, examine the FDA’s Therapeutic Development Pipeline below.  The pipeline represents the normal development of an average drug.  The average successful drug will … Continue reading

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