Global Inspirations and Connections

Just as research and treatments pioneered by our physician-scientists impact children worldwide, philanthropists from around the globe are changing the lives of millions of families by giving to Boston Children’s. Here, we highlight a few of our donors from far beyond Boston.

C H I C A G O

Elizabeth and Kent Dauten

The effects of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are often life-altering and devastating. These disorders can begin in adolescence, a critical period when the brain trims back connections—or synapses—that it deems less important and strengthens others.

Determined to understand how neuropsychiatric disorders develop, the Dauten family journeyed to Boston Children’s to learn from a pioneering researcher. Beth Stevens, PhD, has identified specific brain cells that are responsible for synaptic pruning and linked these cells to conditions such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s. But this process has never been examined in the adolescent brain— until now. Through funding from the Dauten family, Dr. Stevens and her team are pinpointing the mechanisms at the root of neuropsychiatric disorders in adolescence to improve treatment and ultimately prevent these conditions.

M E X I C O

Fundación Alfredo Harp Helú

Worldwide, millions of people suffer from disabling blood disorders requiring a lifetime of transfusions. The Harp Hel? Foundation has partnered with Boston Children’s to advance innovative therapies. Today, the foundation is fueling research led by Leonard Zon, MD, to develop stem cell transplants that use a patient’s own cells—removing the threat of rejection and providing an option for many people without a compatible donor. The foundation also is working to tackle Latino health disparities through Boston Children’s Milagros para Niños. Funds raised through this initiative help deliver world-class medical care, behavioral and developmental services and financial assistance to local and international Latino families, as well as observerships that allow physicians from Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries to travel to Boston Children’s for an intensive three-month training program.

M I A M I

Claire Holt and Andrew Joblon

From next-generation training to device engineering, simulation technology has spurred many medical and surgical innovations. As a result, children are surviving conditions—and thriving—through techniques unimaginable just 10 or 20 years ago. As dedicated parents and champions for children everywhere, Claire and Andrew are accelerating novel approaches to pediatric care through their support of Boston Children’s. The couple aims to bring simulation science to a new level, and they’re sharing their commitment with a network of friends and colleagues. By introducing newcomers to Boston Children’s vast community of experts, they are helping to ensure all children, no matter where they live, have access to the highest level of care and the opportunity to grow, thrive and reach their full potential.

I T A L Y

Lucio I. Zanon di Valgiurata

An aggressive and deadly cancer, neuroblastoma is typically diagnosed in children between ages 1 and 2—often after the cancer has spread. To give these children a better chance, Lucio Zanon di Valgiurata is fueling an innovative research initiative between physician-scientists at University of Torino in Italy and Roberto Chiarle, MD, a Boston Children’s hematopathologist.

For more than a decade, Dr. Chiarle has relentlessly stalked the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) oncogene, a protein that drives deadly cancers. He devised a CAR-T cell therapy that weaponizes the child’s immune system, equipping T cells to home in on and destroy cancer cells. With the support of Zanon di Valgiurata, Dr. Chiarle is working with Italian colleagues to conduct the first human trial of ALK.CAR-T in children with high-risk neuroblastoma. The trial will offer a new treatment option for children whose cancer has relapsed.