Childhood Cancer Talk Radio | Live Internet Talk Radio

Childhood Cancer Talk Radio interviews Patrick Mahoney from the Office of Advocacy Relations (OAR) at NCI. The March 16 discussion included a brief history of the National Cancer Institute, it's role as a scientific research institution as well as resource of support and direction for millions afflicted with cancer. "We want people to contact us...let us know their greatest concerns to better represent public interests in cancer research..," he sustained, sharing examples of public input affecting research and eventual solutions where there had previously been none. Host Janet Demeter ensured the conversation included the "dreaded" 4% issue-gladly addressed by Mahoney, bringing to the forefront the current challenges in medical research and also the recent efforts of advocates which have had a definite impact on the course of research and the importance of pediatric research at NCI, keeping the discussion to a collaborative and jovial spirit, and an optimistic outlook for pediatric research at NCI. The National Cancer Institute remains the greatest contributor to the field.

Blessed with varied interests and an artistic and musical upbringing, Janet had health challenges throughout her young adult life. Despite these she graduated Cum Laude from Wellesley College with an award of distinction for acting, and had also been a champion equestrian. She began a family with her husband Barry later in life, and had finally found happiness with daughter Sophie-Marie (3/12/06) and then baby (Jack 8/30/08). Five weeks after his birth, the family escaped a wildfire in which all worldly possessions were lost. The family relocated in December of 2008 to Agua Dulce CA where they currently reside.

Jack began to have unsettling symptoms at the age of 3; he was taken to Children's Hospital Los Angeles and was diagnosed with DIPG, or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, on Friday Oct. 28, 2011, indisputably the darkest experience of Janet's life. The outrage of it made her determined to find the good in the situation, and she asked God to "Put me to work!" After Jack's death, she remained determined to start working to find solutions to DIPG and incorporated Jack's Angels at the end of 2012; the Foundation began its work in 2013. Despite the fact that DIPG is responsible for the majority of brain tumor deaths in children, she had been told there were no solutions for Jack because "the numbers aren't great enough for investors." This remains the primary motivation in her advocacy work, to prioritize children's lives in our medical system in the United States.