How The Fund Started

Penelope

In 2006, parents of two young patients — Penelope London and Sam Hutchison — established The Penelope & Sam Fund for Neuroblastoma Research at the Vermont Cancer Center at the University of Vermont and Fletcher Allen Health Care. Approximately 650 children are diagnosed each year with neuroblastoma, an often-fatal form of cancer that occurs in infants and young children. Giselle Sholler, a pediatric oncologist and assistant professor of pediatrics, and her colleagues at the Vermont Cancer Center are currently conducting basic science studies, as well as a Phase II clinical trial, to identify new treatments for children with the most aggressive form of neuroblastoma. The Penelope & Sam Fund provides ongoing funding for Dr. Sholler's neuroblastoma research.

A Message from Penelope and Sam's Parents

Sam

Neuroblastoma is a mean, nasty disease. As parents, we wanted to support a program that really embraced our commitment to continuing forward momentum in treatment and in research for new therapies. We hope that the open and collaborative approach at the Vermont Cancer Center will become the norm, and will lead to better treatments and even cures for this terrible disease and others. Please lend your support to ours and help us offer hope to parents and children diagnosed with neuroblastoma.

—John & Catherine London and Neil & Margot Hutchison