Spread some MAGIC in honor of Reese!
Reese’s Magic Fund
How exactly do you say thank you to someone who saved your child’s life? This fund is our quest to do just that…
Reese was diagnosed with Stage IV sacrococcygeal teratoma on August 13, 2016. We immediately began chemotherapy at Aflac Cancer Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to shrink this germ cell tumor. The tumor was removed in November 2016 and Reese is currently under strict surveillance for any remaining signs of cancer. We are tremendously grateful to the entire team at CHOA for their expertise and loving care of our younger daughter.
To honor her fight, Reese’s MaGIC Fund will support the work of Dr. Thomas Olson and Dr. Megan Durham, the leaders of her medical team. Dr. Olson established MaGIC (Malignant Germ Cell International Consortium), which includes surgeons and oncologists from six continents. Their goal is simple: create a team of doctors from around the world who can share their experience, expertise, and research to prevent and cure germ cell tumors.
Pediatric cancer simply does not receive the money it deserves. Because of generous community donations, Reese’s MaGIC fund in the Aflac Cancer Center has brought together the greatest minds in the world – yes, the world, to help find a cure for Malignant Germ Cell tumors. This is a group of pediatric oncologists, surgeons and gynecologic oncologists designed to study germ cell tumors which affect children, adolescents, and adults.
At the end of October 2017, this MaGIC consortium gathered at Emory for a four-day working meeting to begin developing new strategies for the treatment of these rare tumors. Thanks to your generosity, this collaboration included 40+ international pediatric and medical oncologists and statisticians from six different continents.
The result was newly-formed partnerships for research. Much was accomplished that could not be done by email or conference calls, and all attendees went away with new relationships and a commitment to work together to find a cure for malignant germ cell tumors.
During their downtime, they enjoyed Southern BBQ at the Camp Sunshine House, Zaxby’s at the Emory Conference Center, and a few games of bowling, compliments of Midtown Bowl. No donor money was used for these two evenings – everything was provided through in-kind donations.
Thank you for your support in funding pediatric malignant germ cell tumor research. This MaGIC consortium – and the difference they will make in pediatric cancer – could not be done without you!