Emily Whitehead Foundation Takes a Bold Step to Support All Patients
Emily Whitehead Foundation Expands Mission for Wider Reach
Lifts Up Policies that Accelerate and Increase Access to Life-saving Advanced Therapies
Located in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, the Emily Whitehead Foundation has recently announced a major evolution in its mission. Originally dedicated to pediatric cancer and specifically focusing on the revolutionary CAR T-cell therapy, the Foundation is now committing itself to advocate for all individuals facing cancer and rare diseases. This change aims to ensure these patients can access advanced therapies beneficial to their treatment journeys.
This transformation highlights the Foundation's ongoing commitment to its motto of "Activate the Cure," which reflects a dedication to assisting more individuals facing life-threatening illnesses. Emily Whitehead, who first underwent CAR T-cell therapy at the age of five, has inspired a worldwide movement toward advancing treatments. As she continues to thrive and is now considered cured, the Foundation is looking to expand the benefits of such therapies to a broader audience.
As Tom Whitehead, co-founder of the Foundation, explains, "When we began, our focus was primarily on pediatric cancer treatment. Throughout the rapid advancements in cell and gene therapies, we've seen how these innovative treatments can change the lives of patients across a variety of diseases. Now, it's time for us to extend our fight to include every patient who could benefit from these breakthroughs."
The new mission of the Emily Whitehead Foundation encompasses several key areas:
Broader Focus on Companion Diseases
The Foundation will advocate for patients facing all varieties of cancer as well as various rare diseases, ensuring that advanced treatments become accessible to all who can benefit from them.
Comprehensive Support for Innovative Therapies
Emphasizing awareness and access, the Foundation will also champion comprehensive studies across a broad range of treatments, moving beyond CAR T-cell therapies to promote advancements in gene editing, stem cells, and other innovative approaches.
Policy Advocacy for Enhanced Access
A vital part of the Foundation's new direction will involve advocating for policies that support scientific innovation in medicine, pushing for the swift development of groundbreaking therapies while guaranteeing fair access for patients everywhere.
Enhanced Family Support Initiatives
The Foundation will continue offering invaluable resources, expert connections, and emotional support to patients and their families, now extending its reach to a more diverse patient population.
In working toward its expanded mission, Executive Director George Eastwood stated, "By broadening our focus, we will not only uplift more patient voices but also connect families with essential resources. Together, we can pave the way to a future where advanced therapies are a viable option for every individual who needs them." This commitment includes partnering closely with policymakers, forming strategic collaborations, and promoting reforms that remove barriers to care.
To symbolize its new direction, the Foundation introduced an updated brand identity, unveiling a new logo featuring a sun icon that embodies hope and connection with the mission. While retaining recognizable elements from the previous logo, it signifies a bright new chapter for the organization.
Additionally, a newly launched website offers valuable resources regarding advanced therapies, support for patients, inspiring stories, events, and opportunities for individuals and organizations to contribute to the foundation's cause.
Emily Whitehead was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age five. Although this type of cancer has a high cure rate in children, Emily faced multiple relapses and was eventually considered to be in palliative care. Her parents, Tom and Kari, sought out an experimental CAR T-cell therapy available through a clinical trial which had not yet been tried on pediatric patients. Remarkably, this innovative treatment reprogrammed Emily's immune system to combat cancer, leading her to become a global icon in the advanced therapy movement, illustrating the potential of such treatments. Today, Emily is flourishing and considered cured.
Since its establishment in 2015 after Emily's successful treatment, the Emily Whitehead Foundation has dedicated itself to increasing awareness about advanced therapies and ensuring that access to effective treatments is available to all. The nonprofit has played an instrumental role in connecting many families with experts and clinical trials, bringing hope to over 45,000 individuals across the globe who have accessed CAR T-cell therapy. With an impressive fundraising achievement of over $4.5 million, the Foundation is working hard to ensure stories of survivors multiply.
About the Emily Whitehead Foundation
The Emily Whitehead Foundation is a nonprofit organization advocating for patients affected by cancer and rare diseases. Established by the parents of Emily Whitehead, who received CAR T-cell therapy, the Foundation strives to increase awareness and support for advanced therapies. Collaborating with a global network of scientists and industry collaborators, the Foundation is determined to turn Emily's surviving experience into countless more success stories. For further details, please explore the Foundation's new website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the expanded mission of the Emily Whitehead Foundation?
The Foundation now supports individuals with all types of cancer and rare diseases, ensuring broader access to advanced therapies.
Why was the mission expanded?
The mission was broadened to advocate for every patient who could benefit from life-saving therapies, as recognized advancements in treatment have the potential to help more individuals.
What does the new logo symbolize?
The new logo features a sun icon representing hope and signifies a new era for the Foundation's mission.
How does the Foundation support patients and families?
The Foundation provides resources, connections to experts, and emotional support throughout the treatment journey for patients and their families.
What impact has the Foundation had since its inception?
Since its founding, the Foundation has helped over 45,000 individuals access CAR T-cell therapy and has raised over $4.5 million for vital research initiatives.
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