Two years ago at the age of 5, Gabriella Cosner completed her 42 weeks of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery treatment of her childhood cancer. Since then, her parents have joined forces with many other cancer parents facing similar journey’s to put an end to childhood cancer.
Last summer, the Cosner family met the Vernacchia family of Los Gatos after their daughter Sofia was diagnosed with leukemia. Gabriella’s mom, Kristin, received a phone call from Sofia’s mom, Denise saying, “I want to raise funds for childhood cancer research” and headed a fundraising effort called “Sofia’s Courage” (teamgfoundation.org/sofias-courage) where individuals were donating funds to the Team G’s mission and tying a gold ribbon in front of their homes in support of September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Through their fundraising efforts, Derek and Joanne Berry presented a very generous grant from the CJ Berry Foundation to our foundation specifically for pediatric cancer research in honor of Sofia.
“What’s even more incredible to me is the fact that Sofia has been dealing with the journey of treatments this whole time while her and her family are raisings funds to fight childhood cancer”. Kristin, Founder and CEO. So far, the Vernacchia family has raised over $35k for the Team G Childhood Cancer Foundation. Last week, a donation in the amount of $20,000 was presented to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital where the funding would be applied to the work of Dr. Khorbanda in the pursuit of CAR T cell immunotherapy treatments where the patients own immune cells are engineered to treat their cancers. Read more about immunotherapy here www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/research-updates/2013/CAR-T-Cells.
Sofia’s doctor, Dr. Schlis is putting her first patient through the T Cell process in April. She has been training to administer the therapy. Dr. Harvey Cohen, a pediatric oncologist who serves on the Medical Advisory Board of Team G, states that the funds will be directly applied to a gap in funding to train medical staff on the process and procedures of administering the therapy.
Since these two moms have met, they have been unstoppable. Both families are overjoyed to be a part of the important research going on locally to help children fight cancer and hopefully one day, to cure childhood cancer.
The Cosner family created team G Childhood Cancer Foundation in 2013 shortly after their daughter, Gabriella finished cancer treatments at the age of 5. Joined by cancer parents, Diego and Claudia who lost their daughter to the same form of cancer less than 2 years ago, these families along with the community continue to support children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
Inspired by some of the amazing youth they encountered during each of their daughter’s treatment process, this family has become advocates for all children fighting cancer today. Their continued support comes in the form of Hope Totes, hospital survival kits created for newly diagnosed cancer patients, and funds dedicated to new and innovative treatment options.
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To date, Team G has funded almost $70,000 for pediatric cancer research and has sent over 700 Hope Totes. For more information: teamgfoundation.org