Children's Brain Tumor Project

Children's Brain Tumor Project But for families affected by them, every case is one too many. These family foundations and their supporters drive funding, advocacy and awareness for CBTP.

The community of families that participate in the Children's Brain Tumor Project is dedicated to finding new options for treating pediatric brain tumors by supporting research at Weill Cornell Medicine. The families who participate in the Children's Brain Tumor Project (CBTP) are personally invested in finding new treatment options -- and ultimately cures -- for rare and inoperable brain tumors in children and young adults. These tumors, including DIPG, gliomatosis cerebri, and AT/RT, occur so rarely that they do not get the major funding or attention that research scientists need to find a cure. The CBTP is funded in large part by a network of families who have lost loved ones to these terrible tumors, or whose families have been threatened by such a diagnosis. Dr. Mark Souweidane and Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield, Co-Directors of the CBTP at Weill Cornell, have pioneered a neuroscientific paradigm using genomic sequencing and Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED). A Phase I clinical trial is testing the safety of using (CED) to deliver a low-toxicity drug cocktail directly to the tumor site. Bench researchers are using genomic sequencing to identify genetic mutations in each patient's tumor to identify the best drugs to combat them, and investigating new ways to stop tumor progression by blocking signals from bone marrow.

12/22/2025

✨ We’re lighting up the lab in memory of Kai.

Kai Brown Coley was a beloved patient of Jeffrey P. Greenfield MD, PhD. In recent years, he shared his incredible talent with us by performing one of his original compositions at the No Laughing Matter event in 2023, as part of the Light Up the Lab campaign.

We are heartbroken to share that Kai lost his life in August to ependymoma, a recurrent brain tumor he had courageously battled since his 2019 diagnosis. To honor his memory, we continue to Light Up the Lab — a symbol of the light he brought to all of us and the hope we are building for children like Kai through our work.

This year-end, you can join us in making a difference. Your tax-deductible donation to Light Up the Lab helps fuel pediatric brain tumor research, keeping the light of hope shining bright for every child facing this battle. 💕✨

Visit our website to contribute and honor Kai’s legacy today. lightupthelab.org

🌟 Run for something bigger than a finish line.If you run the United Airlines NYC Half for us, every mile will support gr...
12/19/2025

🌟 Run for something bigger than a finish line.

If you run the United Airlines NYC Half for us, every mile will support groundbreaking research and bring hope to families facing some of the rarest pediatric brain tumors.

Whether you’re running your first race or your fiftieth, your steps help fuel the discoveries that change outcomes for children who need it most.

✨ Lace up with purpose.
✨ Join a community that runs with heart.
✨ Make every mile matter.

Sign up today and be part of a team that’s pushing for brighter futures — one run, one family, one breakthrough at a time.
🔗 https://cbtpfoundation.org/run-the-2026/

✨ We are deeply grateful for the incredible partners who made this year’s No Laughing Matter Gala a record-breaking nigh...
12/18/2025

✨ We are deeply grateful for the incredible partners who made this year’s No Laughing Matter Gala a record-breaking night!

A heartfelt thank you to Zimmer Biomet, Aquarian Holding, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for standing with us, supporting our mission, and helping drive breakthroughs in pediatric neuro-oncology. Your generosity brings hope to families and fuels life-changing research.

Thanks to sponsors like you, the evening was filled with laughter, connection, and impact — and the work to support children continues every day. 💕✨

This holiday season, we’re inviting you to Light Up the Lab with us. 💛✨Every year, our lab team decorates the hallways w...
12/17/2025

This holiday season, we’re inviting you to Light Up the Lab with us. 💛✨

Every year, our lab team decorates the hallways with twinkling lights and battery-operated candles to honor the children who have bravely faced brain tumors under our care. Each light represents hope, resilience, and the lives that inspire our research every day.

Our Hall of Inspiration—lined with photos of patients treated by Dr. Mark Souweidane and Jeffrey P. Greenfield MD, PhD—will glow brighter than ever, thanks to your support. We hope to raise $100,000 to fund groundbreaking research and bring life-changing progress to children and families affected by brain tumors.

All donors will receive printable acknowledgment cards to share with friends and loved ones in celebration of their gift. 🌟

Join us in honoring these incredible children and fueling hope for the future. Donate today and help us Light Up the Lab: lightupthelab.org

12/09/2025

At 23, Anya Zach-Salon was chasing her publishing dreams in NYC when persistent headaches led to a shocking diagnosis: a brain tumor in her fourth ventricle, a critical area near the brainstem where cerebrospinal fluid flows.

"I had headaches before, so having a headache wasn't a concern," Anya recalls. "I never thought it could be a brain tumor."

With expert care from Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield of Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Anya underwent complex brain surgery and months of rehab. Her courage never wavered.

“These tumors require precise surgical technique due to their location near critical brainstem structures,” Dr. Greenfield explains. “Our goal is always complete removal while preserving neurological function.”

Ten years later, Anya is thriving: married to her college sweetheart, working in children’s publishing, biking through Minneapolis with her two poodles, and still devouring fiction.

Her advice to others facing brain surgery: “Trust the process and trust the doctors. Life will go on, and it’s going to be okay.”

12/08/2025

Doing Something for Kids Who Can’t 💛

The Ty Louis Campbell Foundation is doing something—bringing joy, laughter, and a little (or a lot!) of mess to children and families affected by cancer. Their annual Muddy Puddles Project Mess Fest on August 2 was a huge success, with kids swimming, ziplining, climbing, sliding, crafting, and even meeting Peppa Pig! The mud pit was busy, laughter filled the air, and memories were made that VIP families will treasure forever.

Mess Fest isn’t just fun—it raises funds for childhood cancer research and gives families a care-free day to enjoy the simple joys of being a kid. About 150 VIP families joined the hundreds of attendees this year, all benefiting from the TLC Foundation’s incredible commitment.

You can do something too. Support the TLC Foundation’s mission and help create days full of joy, hope, and inspiration for children and families facing cancer. Save the date: Saturday, August 1, 2026—join us next year to get messy for a cause that matters! 💛✨

✨ Meet Audrey McBride, one of our incredible CBTP summer interns!Over the past four summers, Audrey has grown from quiet...
12/06/2025

✨ Meet Audrey McBride, one of our incredible CBTP summer interns!

Over the past four summers, Audrey has grown from quietly observing in the OR to working hands-on in the lab with Dr. Nadia Dahmane’s team — discovering firsthand how pediatric neuro-oncology research can change lives.

This same internship experience was recently auctioned at the NLM event, offering another aspiring student the chance to follow in Audrey’s footsteps and begin their own inspiring journey.

You can take part too — explore and support our “Light Up the Lab” Silent Auction,” closing 12/7, and help fuel the research that shapes futures. 💕✨
🔗 lightupthelab.org

Meet Isabella Tornos — a rising star who presented at NLM for the first time this year. Her passion and dedication are t...
12/05/2025

Meet Isabella Tornos — a rising star who presented at NLM for the first time this year. Her passion and dedication are the very qualities that inspire the “Light Up the Lab” Silent Auction.

This year, the Tornos Family has elevated the experience even further: their thoughtfully curated wine will enhance a dinner at Marea, turning each bite into a harmonious journey of flavor. And for a night of laughter, strategy, and connection, Ana and Ivan Tornos are hosting an unforgettable Mahjong Night for two — a chance to create memories while supporting a cause that matters deeply.

Every bid brings us closer to pioneering pediatric brain tumor research and brighter futures for children. Get your bids in before December 7! ✨
🔗 LightUpTheLab.org

Live Luxuriously. Give Boldly.The “Light Up the Lab” Silent Auction is now OPEN! Every bid supports pioneering pediatric...
12/04/2025

Live Luxuriously. Give Boldly.

The “Light Up the Lab” Silent Auction is now OPEN! Every bid supports pioneering pediatric brain tumor research at Weill Cornell.

Here’s a glimpse of what you could win:
🏌️ Golf Foursome at Westhampton Country Club
Play a historic Seth Raynor–designed private course with carts, greens fees, lunch, and a fore-caddie. Valid Spring/Fall 2026.

🍝 Dinner for Four at Marea
Savor an unforgettable coastal Italian dining experience with curated wine, generously provided by the Tornos Family.

🛳️ Luxury Voyage Aboard “The World”
Enjoy a 1,400 sq. ft., two-bedroom residence on the world’s largest private residential yacht. Starting bid: $25,000.

Bid today and help bring brighter futures within reach.
🔗 LightUpTheLab.org

✨ Want to stay connected with the Children’s Brain Tumor Project at Weill Cornell Medicine? Our newsletter brings you th...
12/03/2025

✨ Want to stay connected with the Children’s Brain Tumor Project at Weill Cornell Medicine? Our newsletter brings you the latest updates straight from the lab, including:

📰 Groundbreaking research progress
📰 Team stories & spotlights
📰 Funding updates & impact reports
📰 Can’t-miss upcoming events

Stay inspired and informed—sign up today to receive the latest news, breakthroughs, and hope-filled stories from our work supporting children with brain tumors. 💛

🔗 https://www.childrensbraintumorproject.org/2025/12/03/newsletter-sign-up/

This  , we’re inviting our community to make an impact that lasts far beyond today by contributing to our annual Light u...
12/02/2025

This , we’re inviting our community to make an impact that lasts far beyond today by contributing to our annual Light up the Lab appeal. Your support directly fuels pediatric brain tumor research, drives new discoveries, and provides essential care and resources for families navigating one of life’s toughest challenges.

Each year, we ask our donors to help "Light up the Lab" in honor of a child that is been impacted by a brain tumor diagnosis. The lights symbolize the hope that each gift brings—big or small. The year-end campaign helps push science forward, supports cutting-edge research, and brings hope to children and families facing brain tumors.

Your generosity powers the work that transforms lives, from life-saving research to family support programs.

Together, we can create brighter futures, accelerate treatments, and give these kids and their families the hope they deserve. Join us this Giving Tuesday and be part of something bigger—donate today at www.lightupthelab.org and help make a real difference in the fight against pediatric brain tumors. 💛

Dr. Mark Souweidane

12/01/2025

From our very first steps to the strides we make today, the team at the Children’s Brain Tumor Project has been the heart and soul of everything we do. 💛

From lab assistants and doctors to interns, volunteers, and supporters, every person has brought hope, dedication, and love to our mission. We celebrate the incredible people across all roles who make our work possible and the difference they help create for children fighting brain tumors. We are endlessly grateful for their commitment—and for yours.

Learn more about how you can join this mission on our website: https://www.childrensbraintumorproject.org/

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Our Story

The families who participate in the Children's Brain Tumor Project (CBTP) are personally invested in finding new treatment options -- and ultimately cures -- for rare and inoperable brain tumors in children and young adults. These tumors, including DIPG, gliomatosis cerebri, and AT/RT, occur so rarely that they do not get the major funding or attention that research scientists need to find a cure. But for families affected by them, every case is one too many. The CBTP is funded in large part by a network of families who have lost loved ones to these terrible tumors, or whose families have been threatened by such a diagnosis. These family foundations and their supporters drive funding, advocacy and awareness for CBTP. Dr. Mark Souweidane and Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield, Co-Directors of the CBTP at Weill Cornell, have pioneered a neuroscientific paradigm using genomic sequencing and Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED). A Phase I clinical trial is testing the safety of using (CED) to deliver a low-toxicity drug cocktail directly to the tumor site. Bench researchers are using genomic sequencing to identify genetic mutations in each patient's tumor to identify the best drugs to combat them, and investigating new ways to stop tumor progression by blocking signals from bone marrow.