Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders
Includes specialty programs: Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program / Brain Tumor Program / Cancer Survivorship Program / Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center / Biorepository and Targeted Therapy Program / Sickle Cell Program / Stem Cell Transplant Program
Overview
The Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders is named after the family of David and Martha Showers, whose generous gift helped build the center and continues to help fund patient care, research and education programs.
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.
A Team Approach
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.
Advancing Cures
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.
Matching A Patient With Treatment
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.
Locations/Contact Us
Contact Cancer and Blood Disorders
Akron Children's Hospital
214 W. Bowery Street
Akron, Ohio 44308
Fax: 330-543-3220
More about this location...
Map & directions
Akron Children's Hospital Beeghly Campus
6505 Market St., Building A
Boardman, Ohio 44512
Fax: 330-746-9523
More about this location...
Map & directions
Our Doctors/Providers
Director, Division of Hematology-Oncology; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist; LOPen Charities and Mawaka Family Chair in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (Honoring Dr. Jeffrey Hord)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Director, Sickle Cell Program; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Stem Cell Transplant Program Coordinator; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Director, Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center; Director, Divisional Quality Improvement; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Coordinator, Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Physician Assistant
Physician Assistant
Physician Assistant
Chief Research Officer
Director, Divisional Research, Stem Cell Transplantation & Shannon E. Wilkes Targeted Therapy Program; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist;
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Physician Assistant
Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Director, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program; Director, Solid Tumor Program; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Director, Neuro-Oncology; Pediatric Neuro-Oncologist; Chief Medical Information Officer
Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Director, Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program and Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Physician Assistant
Lead Hematology-Oncology Advance Practice Provider
Physician Assistant
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Psychologist
Specialty Programs
Resources
Open Clinical Studies
Building Evidence for Effective Palliative/End of Life Care for Teens With Cancer (FACE-TC)
We want to learn how teenagers and young adults with cancer feel about discussing future treatment options with family members. The study will help those with cancer and their families make future care planning decisions to share with their doctor. We will also evaluate if writing patient care goals (advance directives) helps improve quality of life for these teens. The study encourages teenagers and parents to plan future care early in the course of their illness. For more information on this study, visit: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02693665?term=FACE-TC&rank=1
Currently recruiting
Safety and Effectiveness of Apixaban in Preventing Blood Clots in Children With Leukemia
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
Currently recruiting
Risk-Based Therapy in Treating Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed Liver Cancer
For complete study information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov.
Currently recruiting
Post-Radiation Chemotherapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ependymoma
Please visit clinicaltrials.gov for complete study information.
Currently recruiting
Efficacy of Carboplatin Administered With Radiation and Isotretinoin for Medulloblastoma
For complete study information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov.
Currently recruiting
Risk-Based Classification of Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
For complete study information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov.
Currently recruiting
A Comprehensive Approach to Improve Medication Adherence in Pediatric ALL
For complete study information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov.
Neuroblastoma Biology Studies
For complete study information, please visit clinicalstudies.gov.
Currently recruiting
Study of Biomarkers found in Newborns with Down Syndrome and the Link to Leukemia
For complete study information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov.
Currently recruiting
Protocol for Collecting and Banking Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Research Specimens
For complete study information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov.
Tissue Collection from patients with Cutaneous Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
For complete study information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov.
Study of Blood Samples From Newborns With Down Syndrome
For complete study information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov.
Currently recruiting
Radiation Therapy Before Surgery in patients Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcomas
For complete study information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov.
Currently recruiting
Guided Therapy in Treating Younger Patients With Non-high Risk Neuroblastoma
For complete study information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov
Currently recruiting
A Registry for Adult and Pediatric Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
Since chronic ITP of children and adults shows similarities a common database is needed to coordinate scientific activities in the field of ITP. Clinical Data, bleeding symptoms and management will be observed continuously by long term follow-up over several years with the goal to recruit as many patients as possible.
Currently recruiting
Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed Hodgkin Lymphoma
For complete study information, please view the study on clincaltrials.gov.
Currently recruiting
Treating Younger Patients With T-Cell ALL or Stage II-IV T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
For complete study information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov.
Currently recruiting
ACNS02B3, A Protocol for Collecting and Banking Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Specimens
For complete information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov
Currently recruiting
Enrollment on the Childhood Cancer Research Network
For complete information, please see clinicaltrials.gov
Umbrella Follow-Up of Patients Who Have Participated in Children's Oncology Group Studies
This study being done in collaboration with Cincinnati Children's Hospital. For complete information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov
Currently recruiting
Entinostat in Treating Pediatric Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Solid Tumors
For complete information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov. This study is being done in collaboration with Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Currently recruiting
The Project: Every Child Protocol: A Registry, Eligibility Screening, Biology and Outcome Study
For complete information, please view the project on clinicaltrials.gov
Currently recruiting
Peginterferon Alfa-2b in Treating Younger Patients With Craniopharyngioma
For complete information, please visit the study on clinicaltrials.gov This study is being done in collaboration with Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Currently recruiting
Tretinoin and Arsenic Trioxide in Treating Patients With Untreated Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
For complete information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov
Currently recruiting
Neuropsychological, Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Outcomes in Children With Cancer
For complete information, please visit the study on clinicaltrials.gov
Effectiveness of Ribociclib Following Radiation in Children with Diffuse Pontine Gliomas
For complete information, please view the study on clinicaltrials.gov This study is being done in collaboration with Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Currently recruiting
Community Counts The Registry for Bleeding Disorders Surveillance
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.
Currently recruiting
The Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry (SCNIR)
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.
Currently recruiting
My Life Our Future: A Hemophilia Data and Sample Research Repository
My Life, Our Future (MLOF) is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by hemophilia through knowledge. Our goals are to enable people with hemophilia and their families to understand more about their hemophilia and to advance scientific research that may improve care and treatment. For complete information, please visit their page:
Currently recruiting
Denosumab in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Osteosarcoma
For complete information, please view the study at clinicaltrials.gov
Currently recruiting
Screening Patients With Sickle Cell Disease for Kidney Damage
For complete details, please visit the study on clinicaltrials.gov
Currently recruiting
Maintenance Chemotherapy or Observation Following Induction Chemo and Radiation for Ependymoma
For complete information, please visit the study on clinicaltrials.gov
Currently recruiting
Safety and Efficacy of Tretinoin and Arsenic Trioxide in Patients With Untreated Acute PML
For complete information, please visit the study on clinicaltrials.gov
Currently recruiting
Biomarkers in Tumor Samples From Patients With Newly Diagnosed Neuroblastoma or Ganglioneuroblastoma
For complete study details, please visit the study on clinicaltrials.gov.
Currently recruiting
Educational Opportunities
Fellowship Program
As a program that ranks in the top half of pediatric cancer centers in the number of new cancer cases treated each year, Akron Children's offers a robust pediatric hematology-oncology fellowship program that includes varied clinical experience with exposure to patients with virtually every form of childhood cancer and blood disorder.
Summer Research Internship
Akron Children’s Hospital’s division of pediatric hematology-oncology offers a summer research internship to 2 medical students who have been accepted into or have completed the first year of medical school.
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