Our specially trained and certified oncology staff treats a variety of pediatric cancers and offers a broad range of expertise in cancer and bleeding disorders. Studies have shown that the survival rates for infants, children, teens and young adults treated at a pediatric cancer center are greater than those at an adult hospital.
From the type of cancer to the cause, pediatric cancers are very different from adult cancers. And since they're relatively uncommon, it's important to have a dedicated oncology team whose members have spent their careers specializing in the care of all forms of childhood cancers. Studies have shown that the survival rates for infants, children, teens and young adults treated at a pediatric cancer center are greater than those at an adult hospital.
It takes a team to diagnose and treat children, teens and young adults with cancer and bleeding or clotting disorders. Our team includes board-certified pediatric hematologists-oncologists, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, certified pediatric oncology nurses, pharmacists, clinical research associates, child life specialists, social workers, psychologists and educators.
We also work closely with other specialty departments at Akron Children’s as needed, such as surgery, pathology, radiology, pain management, nutrition, adolescent medicine, physical therapy, palliative care and genetics.
On average, we care for 8 newly diagnosed children with cancer each month. The most common types of cancer are leukemia, brain and central nervous system cancers.
Our division also actively participates in national clinical trials for childhood cancer and blood disorders and explores the causes and treatment of these diseases through our basic science research program.
As a member of Children’s Oncology Group (COG), we participate in the development of National Cancer Institute-approved treatment protocols and offer the most up-to-date cancer therapies. Our program is one of only about a dozen pediatric cancer programs in the country verified by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
As a major teaching institution affiliated with Northeast Ohio Medical University, we also train future doctors who want to specialize in pediatric hematology-oncology through our accredited fellowship training program.
For children and teens with high-risk tumors or cancers that have been unresponsive to standard treatment options, we offer individualized therapies through our Shannon E. Wilkes Targeted Therapy Program. This form of medicine uses information about the genetic make-up of a patient's cancer to identify drugs or other treatments that block the growth and spread of cancer.
Targeted therapies are typically less harmful to normal cells than standard chemotherapy.
National leader in improving quality and safety in Hematology-Oncology
In 2021, the Showers Family Center served patients from 38 counties in Ohio and 6 other states!
Make a donation to support the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders
Director, Division of Hematology-Oncology; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist; LOPen Charities and Mawaka Family Chair in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (Honoring Dr. Jeffrey Hord)
Director, Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center; Director, Divisional Quality Improvement; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Director, Divisional Research, Shannon E. Wilkes Targeted Therapy Program; The Jeffrey A. Barbour Chair for Pediatric Hematology Oncology Research and Healing; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Director, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program; Director, Solid Tumor Program; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Vice President, Informatics; Chief Medical Information Officer; Pediatric Neuro-Oncologist; Marci M. Matthews Endowed Chair in Telehealth
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Program Director; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Director, Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program and Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Director, Neuro-Oncology; Director, Shannon E. Wilkes Targeted Therapy Program; Co-Director, Neurofibromatosis Clinic; Pediatric Neuro-Oncologist
Stem Cell Transplant Program Coordinator; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner; Co-Lead Hematology/Oncology Advance Practice Providers
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner; Co-Lead Hematology/Oncology Advance Practice Providers
The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of a blood thinning drug called Apixaban versus no administration of a blood thinning drug, in preventing blood clots in children with leukemia or lymphoma. Patients must be receiving chemotherapy; including Pegylated L-Asparaginase and have a central line (a catheter inserted for administration of medications and blood sampling).
Complete study information: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02369653
More about this study...Please visit clinicaltrials.gov for complete study information.
More about this study...For complete study information, please visit clinicalstudies.gov.
More about this study...For complete study information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov.
More about this study...For complete study information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov
More about this study...For complete study information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov
More about this study...For complete study information, please view the study on clincaltrials.gov.
More about this study...For complete study information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov.
More about this study...For complete information, please view the project on clinicaltrials.gov
More about this study...For complete information, please visit the study on clinicaltrials.gov
More about this study...The purpose of this project is to gather and share information about common health issues, medical complications, and causes of death that affect people with bleeding disorders cared for in the U.S. Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs). Community Counts aims to continue the work of the Universal Data Collection System, which ended in 2011.
For complete information, please visit the Registry website.
More about this study...This registry is to establish a global database of treatment and disease-related outcomes for persons diagnosed with SCN. Collection of this information will lead to improved medical care and is used for research to determine the causes of neutropenia.
More about this study...
For complete details, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov.
Study in conjunction with Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
More about this study...For complete information, please visit the study on clinicaltrials.gov
More about this study...For complete information, please visit the study on clinicaltrials.gov
More about this study...For complete study details, please visit the study on clinicaltrials.gov.
More about this study...View complete study details here.
More about this study...This study is for patients diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and inoperable Plexiform Neurofibromas (PN) tumors that grow along the nerves. The reason for the study is to find out if taking selumetinib with food affects the blood levels and side-effects of this medicine in adolescent children with this disease.
More about this study...At Akron Children’s, your child’s health and safety is our priority. Please continue to bring your child for wellness visits, vaccinations or sick care appointments that keep children healthy. We want to assure you that we have taken additional precautions to ensure a safe environment for your child and family. The following are additional safety efforts, in addition to our normal cleaning protocols, that we are taking to help you be comfortable bringing your child to an appointment.
Akron Children’s has a number of safety protocols in place for our patients and visitors in order to provide a safe hospital environment.
Akron Children’s Hospital offers many resources to support for our cancer patients and their loved ones, not only while going through treatment but ongoing.
ALL, AML, astrocytoma, bone cancer, bone and soft tissue tumors, brain and spinal cord tumors, cancer, craniopharyngiomas, ependymoma, Ewing sarcoma, germ cell tumors, glioma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, kidney tumors, leukemia, liver tumors, lymphoma, medulloblastoma, melanoma, neuroblastoma, neutropenia, oligodendrogliomas, osteosarcoma, pineoblastomas, retinoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, thyroid masses, tumor, aplastic anemia, bleeding disorder, blood disorders, G6PD deficiency, hemophilia, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, ITP, iron-deficiency anemia, severe combined immunodeficiency, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, von Willebrand disease