Ben Towne Foundation (bentownefoundation.org) was created with one goal in mind, to see the end of pediatric cancer. When the Towne family lost their son Ben to neuroblastoma, they knew his story wasn’t finished. Ben was a tenacious, driven, passionate little boy. He may have only been three-and-half when his precious life was cut short, but it is fitting that the foundation bearing his name is passionate, driven and tenacious in their fight against pediatric cancer. Ben Towne Foundation was launched in the summer of 2010, and already has raised over $600,000, with 100% of their donations going to pediatric cancer research.
Ben Towne Foundation is partnered with the Center for Childhood Cancer Research, which officially opened its doors here in Seattle in July 2011. Dr. Michael Jensen, the director of the new Center, is leading research that will radically change the way pediatric cancers are treated — and cured. Dr. Jensen has developed a method of reprogramming the body’s own defense system to kill cancer. This technique of genetically re-engineering an individual’s T cells has proven to be safe and effective in the laboratory. His research promises a future of cancer cures without the devastating side effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
Currently, there are far more side-effects from pediatric cancer treatments than for adult cancer treatments. Children’s bodies are still developing, so the long-terms side effects from treatment can be far more damaging than for adults, including hearing loss, organ damage, infertility and an increased likelihood of future cancer. Dr. Jensen says, “If we’re successful, then the worst side effects of being cured of cancer would be feeling like you have a cold for a couple of days.” Ben Towne Foundation and the Center for Childhood Cancer Research are the first of their kind, and pioneering the way to raising awareness in the need for research and funding for pediatric cancer.
September is pediatric cancer awareness month. According to the American Cancer Society in 2011, over 11,210 children in the United Sates under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer. Ben Towne Foundation is not ok with the fact that cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and age 15 – and only 3% of funds allocated from the National Cancer Institute go to pediatric cancer research. Ben Towne Foundation is changing that statistic, and one day, will change the face of pediatric cancer.
100% of your donation to Ben Towne Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation will support innovative research toward curing childhood cancer. Please visit Ben Towne Foundation to make a donation.
About Ben: Benjamin Ward Towne was born on July 17, 2005, to parents Jeff and Carin Towne. He was a fiercely determined, passionate and loving little boy. Ben enjoyed cars, in his life he accrued hundreds and hundreds of cars. He loved tennis, golf, going to the beach and his family. In August 2007, just a month after his second birthday, Ben was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma. His only presenting symptom was a discoloration around his eyes. Treatment included six courses of chemotherapy, surgery, stem cell transplant, radiation, five rounds of anti-body therapy, and more. Ben was in remission in July of 2008, only to relapse catastrophically in October. He died on December 30, 2008.
